Yerba mate is a South American herbal drink with a bold, earthy, grassy flavour and natural caffeine.
Mate is made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, a holly native to South America. Green Yerba Mate is pure, unflavoured and unroasted, with a full body and a smooth, lingering finish.
Want a flavoured mate? Try Mate Java Espresso, Climber's High or Wonder Ayurvedic Chai. For other herbal options, see our herbal teas.
Yes. Yerba mate naturally contains caffeine. Many people drink it in the morning or early afternoon as an alternative to coffee.
Use 1 to 1.5 teaspoons per 250 ml cup. Water at 71 to 82°C gives a softer cup, and hotter water up to 96°C gives a stronger one. Steep 4 to 6 minutes.
The traditional way to drink mate is from a gourd with a bombilla, a metal straw with a filter at the end. You fill the gourd with leaves and keep topping it up with hot water through the day.
Green mate is earthy, grassy and slightly bitter, a bit like a strong green tea. Flavoured blends soften it with notes like coffee, chocolate or spice.