Yerba Maté Tea

Herbal South American Yerba  Maté Tea

One of the few herbal tisanes in the world that naturally contains caffeine! Our Yerba maté tea is made from the leaves of the South American Ilex paraguariensis tree. This botanical is indigenous to countries like Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. This herbal tea was first cultivated as a medicinal ingredient by the Guaraní people and soon became closely intertwined with South American culture. In fact, one census found that 98% of Argentinians have yerba maté in the kitchen cabinet at home!

Yerba mate has a distinct flavor that is often described as earthy, herbaceous, and slightly bitter. The taste can vary depending on the specific type of yerba mate and how it’s processed. Such unique tasting notes and smoky aroma may take some getting used to; however, South Americans love this brew for its purported health benefits! For example, yerba maté is thought to have a high antioxidant capacity and hepatoprotective effect. Unlike coffee, it’s also interesting to note that this herbal tisane carries theobromine (a compound also found in cocoa) as well as caffeine. Both of these xanthines are known to stimulate the body and mind. Find out more about this tea’s fun properties here.

You can make yerba maté the exact same way as tea. However, there is a traditional way to drink it! Yerba maté is normally drunk from a decorative gourd using a metal or stainless steel spoon-like straw called a bombilla. You can purchase your own yerba maté straw here.

In South American countries, sharing yerba mate is a common social activity. Friends and family gather to drink mate together, passing the gourd from person to person. The act of sharing mate is considered a symbol of friendship and community. What better way to bring a taste of community and friendship into your own daily tea ritual than by sharing a cup of maté with your mates!

SOUTH AMERICAN TEA | CAFFEINATED | GLUTEN FREE | VEGAN