This caffeinated drink has gained popularity thanks to its health benefits. The yerba mate plant is native to South America. Its leaves offer nearly 200 active compounds, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants.
When choosing the tea, look for responsible production practices, reasonable pricing and ease of use. Fans of green tea may enjoy its earthy, grassy flavor. New tea drinkers may prefer blends with fewer stems and added flavors.
Our Top Pick
Our favorite brands combine great taste with health and sustainability. For best overall, we recommend U.S. Wellness Naturals. Their flavorful tea supports small farmers.
The tea offers a tasty, healthy alternative to coffee and tea. It may provide energy, aid blood lipids and weight loss. We researched dozens of brands to find the most delicious, nourishing on the market today.
It is traditionally consumed hot in a hollow gourd using a filtered straw. The drinking process is considered ceremonial in parts of South America. It has a strong, bitter flavor similar to green tea.
It contains more antioxidants than green tea. It has fat-burning effects likely due to its high caffeine content. It can also improve digestion issues like constipation and diarrhea because of its beneficial effects on the stomach.
Today, it remains popular in South America and has gained worldwide fame for boosting energy, aiding digestion, and more. When choosing a brand, the three most important factors are processing method, flavor intensity, and price point.
The properties of it can improve athletic performance, stop fatigue, and provide a mild euphoric feeling without an energy crash later. It contains about a third the caffeine of coffee. It is even higher in antioxidants than green tea.
You can easily tell the difference between smoked and unsmoked varieties by noting the distinct flavors and aromas. Smoked has a rich, smoky flavor with hints of tobacco, while unsmoked has a fresher, grassy taste.
In South American countries like Argentina and Uruguay, where it is deeply ingrained in the culture, the choice between smoked and unsmoked can reflect personal and regional traditions.
The smoking process produces unhealthy substances that may outweigh the health benefits. For this reason, it’s best to choose unsmoked, or air-dried.
It has a natural energizing and stimulating effect. It increases concentration thanks to its percentage of caffeine.
The leaves in these tea bags are USDA Organic, derived from a smoke-free drying process. This contributes to the tea’s unsmoked flavor that’s different from many other varieties.