coca

Everyday

1. Coca is a bush that grows in the Andes mountains of South America; its leaves are chewed or made into tea by local people to help with tiredness and mountain sickness. tree →
2. Coca leaves are also used to make the illegal and very dangerous drug cocaine. tree →

In the lessons

In geography and history lessons coca has been part of Andean culture for thousands of years, especially in Bolivia and Peru, where coca tea is legal and common. In health and safety lessons cocaine is a harmful, illegal drug. In history, early Coca-Cola contained a little coca extract, which was later removed. Phrases: coca leaves, coca tea.

Examples

• Farmers in Bolivia grow coca on the mountainsides. tree →
• Visitors to the Andes may drink coca tea for altitude sickness. tree →
• Coca leaves have been chewed in the Andes for thousands of years. tree →
• Cocaine, an illegal drug, is made from coca leaves. tree →
• The name Coca-Cola comes from coca leaves and kola nuts. tree →
• The coca bush has small oval leaves. tree →
• Growing coca is controlled by law in many countries. tree →

Note

Coca is not the same as cocoa (from cacao beans, used for chocolate) or coconut — a common confusion. Uncountable. Safety: cocaine is illegal and harmful.