Guarana is a monoecious, diecious, woody climbing plant that grows as a climbing bush or liane, reaching heights of up to 12 m. The three-lobed capsule is orange-red when ripe, partially opens and contains one to three seeds. The seeds, which are approximately 12 mm long, hollow, and black to green, have a white aril at their base. The open fruit looks like an eye with its seeds inside, one reason why so many legends have formed around it. The fruits and the bitter-tasting seeds have a high caffeine content (4-8% by dry weight). Guarana is cultivated on plantations in Brazil, in the south of Venezuela and in Paraguay, although cultivation is difficult from seed. Guarana has been used for centuries. Similar to cocoa and chocolate, guarana paste is used in a variety of ways in tradition medicine there. For example, it makes one feel more alert and reduces feelings of hunger and thirst.

Today, the shelled and dried seeds are mixed into a powder with water and sweetened with honey prior to drinking. The paste's caffeine content is 3-6%, tannin content 2-3%, which gives it an astringent flavour. The tanning agent content is around 25%, which delays and extends the effect of the caffeine. The products are therefore advertised as “providing energy” or “making one alert”. Besides that, guarana products are also considered to boost fitness. Due to the extremely tart to very bitter taste, it is generally not consumed pure, but rather used in different, usually sweetened, foods. In this way, the guarana extract is used by Brazilian beverage producers to make a refreshing beverage that is also called guarana. It is also suitable for refining chocolate, chewing gum, as well as herb and fruit teas.