What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is a plant native to South America that has properties similar to caffeinated plants. Originally discovered in modern-day Paraguay and Southern Brazil, it was dubbed an “herb from the gods” by natives. Today, it is consumed in Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.
The leaves and twigs are dried, over a fire, and steeped to make a tea called mate. It contains caffeine, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols and amino acids.
About Guayaki
Guayaki is the largest yerba mate company in the United States, founded in 1996. Its mission is to share sustainability, spread its culture, and connect communities worldwide. Guayaki fosters organic production methods and fair wages for small farmers, while regenerating degraded land. Over 25 years they have regenerated 80,000 hectares of Atlantic rainforest, planting over 7,000 trees.
Make Your Own Yerba Mate
I’ll show you how to make Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate yerba mate. It’s perfect for the fall with vitamin C boosts. Making your own version:
- Controls sweetness
- Lets you experiment
- Reduces waste footprint
I’ll explain how to brew the tea the traditional way and other methods like French press or tea bags.
First, make a half-moon and leave space at the top. Pour a bit of cold water to protect nutrients from hot water you’ll add. Insert bombilla and lay it flat over leaves. Pour 80-100 degrees F water to the top, avoiding the dry mound to strengthen later. Drink until slurping, refill and pass to friends.
The leaves and twigs are dried, typically over a fire, and steeped to make the herbal tea called mate. Popular in South America, it contains caffeine like black tea.
Guayaki Ingredients
Guayaki uses the whole yerba mate plant, handpicking the healthiest leaves for strength and stems for energy and sweetness.
The caffeine content in a 16 oz Guayaki drink is 150 mg, a standard energy drink amount that provides a boost. A tea bag contains 30-40 mg, similar to green tea.
Guayaki aims to use culture and the market to regenerate ecosystems and communities.
Health Benefits of Guayaki Yerba Mate
Guayaki yerba mate contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols and amino acids as well as caffeine. It gives you a euphoric feeling that’s similar to eating chocolate. My overall thoughts are that Guayaki is a phenomenal company. The only negatives I can say about Guayaki is the amount of sugar grams in some of the beverages. Guayaki does make some low sugar varieties that I have become obsessed with!
The caffeine level is typically somewhere between that of tea and coffee.
Guayakí uses sustainable processes to dry yerba mate leaves and continues to explore alternative drying methods. Then it is ready to enjoy, preferably with friends. With 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and abundant polyphenols, yerba mate nourishes while stimulating.