Wereke Root Chips 4 oz (Guereque, Huereque) for Tea

Wereke is a desert plant from the Sonoran region of northern Mexico, and its name gets spelled almost as many ways as it gets used: guereque, wereque, and huereque all point to the same plant, Ibervillea sonorae. It belongs to the gourd family and survives the desert by storing water in a large rounded base that sits right on top of the soil, one of the stranger sights in the plant world.

The part used in traditional Mexican kitchens is the root, sliced and dried into chips. Wereke tea is famously bitter, the kind of cup people brew strong, small, and with respect. It contains no caffeine.

Each bag holds 4 oz of organic or wildcrafted wereke root chips from Mexico. Just the root, nothing added.

What the chips look like

Pale cream and tan, thin and flat with a slight curl, closer in appearance to dried apple slices than to a bark or a woody root. The photograph on this page is the actual product.

Other ways it is used

Beyond the tea, wereke root is traditionally prepared as a tincture. That is on the label.

How to store it

Tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C), as printed on the bag.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make wereke tea?
Add 1 to 2 pieces of the root to 8 fl oz of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove from heat, strain and drink. Start with one piece. It is a bitter cup and there is no point pretending otherwise.

What is wereke, and what is it in English?
Wereke is a desert plant of the Sonoran region of northern Mexico, Ibervillea sonorae, in the gourd family. There is no English name for it. English speakers use the Spanish one, which is why you will see it spelled wereke, wereque, guereque and huereque, all pointing at the same plant. The part in this bag is the root, sliced and dried into chips.

Why is it spelled so many different ways?
Because the name came into Spanish from a regional indigenous language and never settled on one spelling. Wereke, wereque, guereque and huereque are all in use and all mean the same plant. Your bag says WEREKE (HUEREQUE).

What do the chips look like?
Pale cream and tan, thin and flat with a slight curl, closer in appearance to dried apple slices than to a bark or a woody root. The photograph on this page is the actual product.

What does wereke tea taste like?
Bitter, and strongly so. It is the kind of cup people brew small and drink quickly rather than sip. Naturally caffeine free.

Do you sell wereke in capsules?
No, this is the dried root only, in chips. We do not currently offer a capsule or pill format.

Is it organic, and where does it come from?
It is organic or wildcrafted wereke root from Mexico, and the country of origin is printed on the bag.

¿Qué es el wereke?
El wereke (Ibervillea sonorae) es una planta del desierto de Sonora, en el norte de México, de la familia de las calabazas. También se escribe wereque, guereque o huereque. Nuestra bolsa trae 4 oz de raíz de wereke en trozos, orgánica o silvestre, de México. Agregue de 1 a 2 trozos a 8 fl oz de agua hirviendo, tape y deje reposar de 10 a 15 minutos, luego cuele. Es muy amargo.

PRECAUTIONS

• Not for use during pregnancy or nursing.
• Not recommended for anyone under 18.
• Individuals with known medical conditions should consult a physician before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

DIRECTIONS:

Wereke is traditionally prepared as a tea or tincture. To prepare as a tea, add 1 to 2 pieces of wereke root to 8 fl oz of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, then enjoy. Start with one piece, because it is a bitter cup.

Store tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

• Processing Time: Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days.
• Refunds: 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact within 30 days of receipt, return unused portions at your expense, and receive a full refund upon receipt.
• Customs Duty Tax: Pre-paid and covered for most countries.