Quassia: What It Is and How to Use It

Quassia is the intensely bitter wood of the Quassia amara tree (and its close relative Picrasma excelsa), native to tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean. It is one of the bitterest natural substances known, and herbalists have traditionally used the wood chips in bitter tonics and digestive bitters. You can find it at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805, where we carry it in our bulk herb section.

Available in Bulk

We carry quassia in our bulk herb section so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful to experiment with to a full bag for ongoing use. Our staff can help you locate it in the bulk bins and answer questions about how it is traditionally prepared.

What We Carry

• Quassia wood chips, cut and sifted (C/S) — the classic form, sold by weight for teas and bitter blends.
• Quassia wood, whole pieces — larger chips for customers who prefer the least-processed form.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does quassia taste like?

Quassia is famous for its extreme bitterness — the wood contains bitter compounds called quassinoids, and even a tiny amount makes a strong impression. There is no sweetness or aromatics to balance it; it is purely, intensely bitter. That bitterness is exactly the point, since bitter herbs are traditionally used in small amounts to make bitters and tonics.

How is quassia traditionally used?

Quassia chips are traditionally steeped in hot water to make a bitter tea, or soaked in alcohol to make homemade bitters. In the Caribbean and Central America, quassia has a long folk history as a bitter tonic ingredient. It is also the wood behind the traditional "bitter cup" — cups carved from quassia wood that impart bitterness to any liquid poured into them.

Is quassia the same as the quassia in old-fashioned bitters?

Yes — quassia wood has been a standard ingredient in classic bitter formulas for well over a century. Traditional digestive bitters often combined quassia with gentian, orange peel, and other botanicals. Home herbalists still buy the chips to craft their own bitter blends.

How should quassia chips be stored?

Like all dried botanicals, keep quassia chips in an airtight container away from light, heat, and moisture. Stored properly, the chips hold their bitterness for a year or more. Because a little goes a long way, most people buy only a small amount at a time.

Did you know? Traditional "bitter cups" were carved directly from quassia wood, so that water or spirits poured into the cup would pick up the wood's intense bitterness — a practice documented in Caribbean and European folk tradition (source: botanical and ethnobotanical references on Quassia amara).

Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find quassia in the bulk herb section.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.