The grades side by side
| Grade | How the caffeine level is reached | Organic / conventional | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spray-dried 10% caffeine | Natural caffeine from the seed extract | Organic and conventional | Energy drinks, "natural energy" claims |
| Spray-dried 22% caffeine | Caffeine added to reach the declared level (per TDS) | Organic and conventional | RTDs and powder sticks where caffeine per serving is the target |
| Spray-dried 50% caffeine | High-assay grade | Conventional only | Tablets and concentrated pre-mixes — lowest fill weight |
| Extract powder 5% caffeine | Caffeine added to reach 5% (per TDS) | Organic | Capsules and blends with a low caffeine load |
| Extract powder 7% caffeine | Stated on the TDS | Conventional | Capsules and blends |
| Juice powder 10% / 22% caffeine | Spray-dried guaraná juice | Organic and conventional | Instant energy beverages |
The spray-dried grades are guaraná seed extract on a cassava (tapioca) maltodextrin carrier. Full specifications are on our guaraná buyer's guide.
Natural or added caffeine: why it decides the grade
Two powders labelled "guaraná 22%" can be very different ingredients. One reaches 22% by concentrating the seed; another reaches it by adding caffeine during standardization. Both are legitimate, but the second cannot support a claim that all the caffeine comes from the botanical. The TDS states the method in plain words — ask for it before you approve a supplier, and specify the grade by standardization method, not only by percentage.
Matching the grade to the format
- Energy drinks and RTDs: the 10% and 22% spray-dried grades disperse well in water and dose easily. Use 10% when the caffeine must be botanical.
- Tablets and concentrated pre-mixes: the 50% grade minimizes fill weight (conventional only).
- Capsules and blends: the 5% organic extract keeps the caffeine load low per serving.
- Organic products: 5%, 10% and 22% are available certified organic (USDA-NOP, NOP ID 6220008042, with EU 2018/848 equivalence); 7% and 50% are conventional.
What to check on the COA
- Caffeine by HPLC, per batch, against the declared grade.
- Heavy metals by ICP-MS: our specification is lead and cadmium ≤ 0.25 mg/kg, inorganic arsenic and mercury ≤ 0.75 mg/kg.
- Ethylene oxide and irradiation: the spray-dried grades are not treated with ethylene oxide and are not irradiated.
- Microbiology: total plate count, yeasts and moulds, coliforms, E. coli, S. aureus and Salmonella.
Guaraná ships in 25 kg fibre drums with a food-grade PE liner, 24-month shelf life, MOQ 50 kg; in-stock lots leave Orlando, Florida in 1–3 business days. Request a quote with the grade, application and volume — the spec sheet and a sample COA come with it.