Is This Tea-Like Drink Good For You?

What is this drink? This beverage is a tea-like drink made from the leaves of a South American plant. It has been consumed for centuries by indigenous groups and is very popular today in parts of South America. Key details Some key things to know about it: It contains caffeine and other stimulants that provide … Read more

Why is yerba mate so expensive?

The South American tea is produced from holly leaves. The plant grows in rainforests. Wild leaves taste better but grow slower. In controlled settings, leaves grow quickly so harvest happens each winter. The infusion has caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants. These stimulate mind and body without crashing. It has less caffeine than coffee but more nutrition. … Read more

How do you drink this popular South American beverage for beginners?

Overview This grassy infusion is a popular South American beverage brewed from the leaves of the yerba mate plant. It has a long history of traditional use and cultural significance. Modern preparation methods include using a gourd and metal straw, french press, tea bags, or cold brewing. This South American drink has several reported health … Read more

Nutrients in Yerba Mate

The herbal tea is a caffeinated drink from South America. It is made from the leaves of a holly tree called Ilex paraguariensis. The leaves are dried and steeped in hot water to make the tea. Yerba mate contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids. It provides caffeine for energy. The Guarani people first used … Read more

Yerba Mate vs Coffee Caffeine Content

A cup of yerba mate tea has about 85 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of coffee has about 95 milligrams. So the South American beverage has slightly less caffeine than coffee. The caffeine content depends on the brewing method and type of yerba mate. Yerba mate contains stimulant compounds like theobromine and theophylline. These contribute … Read more

What is special about Yerba Mate?

Overview Ilex paraguariensis is a plant found in South America. Its leaves are used to make a caffeinated drink. This beverage is known to provide an energy boost similar to espresso. However, yerba mate is neither a tea nor coffee. The yerba mate plant is part of the holly genus species. It has adaptogenic properties … Read more

Does yerba mate go bad?

If you store the South American herbal tea in unfavorable conditions, it can go wrong, such as leaving it completely exposed to the air or keeping it in a humid environment where mold can grow. I recommend keeping it out of direct sunlight and heating it in paper bags or a clean mason jar. The … Read more

Growing Conditions

Yerba mate is an evergreen tree that grows in the subtropical region of South America, mainly in Argentina, Southern Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. It grows up to 8 meters tall in the wild, but has been known to grow as high as 18 meters. The plant needs a minimum annual rainfall of around 1000 mm … Read more

Does this tea have vitamin E?

Overview This South American beverage is made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. This infusion has been consumed for centuries in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. It’s known for its grassy flavor, mild stimulant effects and cultural importance. The main active compound is caffeine, although the content is less … Read more