Guayaki Yerba Mate is a brand founded in California in 1996. Guayaki sources organic mate from small farmer cooperatives in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. The plant grows best in regions with high humidity, rainfall, and fertile soil. Mate has properties similar to caffeinated plants. People can use the leaves like tea leaves to diffuse taste and properties. In addition to physical effects, the plant has cultural significance in South American folklore. People originally discovered it in Paraguay and Southern Brazil. The natives imbibed it to boost stamina, used it for medicinal purposes and in religious ceremonies. Today, South Americans drink it like Americans drink coffee.
Guayaki is certified organic by USDA and fair trade. In April 2021, Stefan Kozak became the new CEO. He was former CEO of Red Bull North America. Guayaki tests showed lower PAH levels compared to traditionally smoked brands because only some of their mate is smoke-dried, most is air-dried.
The Yerba Mate Co, the distribution company for Guayaki, delivers through electric vehicles to cut emissions. It also aims for social regeneration by hiring and training formerly incarcerated. Guayaki develops partnerships with indigenous producers and smallholder farmers that conserve land.
Yerba mate is a popular South American drink made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant that is quickly gaining popularity worldwide. Indigenous tribes in Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, and Uruguay have been drinking mate for centuries.
The mate plant grows best in regions with high humidity, rainfall, and fertile soil. Traditionally, mate is infused with hot water in a hollowed out gourd and filtered through a metal straw called a bombilla. Sharing mate is an important social custom passed down for generations. It brings people together, awakens the mind, and creates community.
Yerba mate contains caffeine, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. It provides an energizing effect similar to coffee without causing anxiety, jitters, or caffeine crash. The flavor resembles an infusion of vegetables, herbs, and grass with a slight bitterness.
Today mate can be found all over the globe, though it remains most popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.
Guayaki Yerba Mate sources its organic mate from small farmer cooperatives in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Traditionally, mate is infused with hot water in a hollowed-out gourd. The liquid is filtered and usually shared among friends. This tradition has been passed down for generations: mate awakens the mind and brings people together.
Mate is produced from holly leaves from an evergreen plant native to only a few regions in South America. The best tasting mate comes from leaves grown in the shade of the rainforest. In a controlled environment, the leaves grow more quickly, so they are harvested once each winter.
Guayaki tests have shown a much lower PAH level compared to traditionally smoked brands because only some of their mate is smoke-dried, while most of it is air-dried.
The stimulating leaves contain a plethora of health benefits. Guayaki uses time-honored processing methods passed down to create high quality mate. They use the whole plant, hand picking only the healthiest leaves and stems. The bundles are then fire-cured to stop oxidation. All mate must be dried to protect it from insects, so Guayaki uses only naturally-fallen rainforest hardwoods during the 24-hour drying process. This allows the mate to be safely heated and enriched.
Yerba mate is hand harvested by cultivators from small farms and communities in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Traditional yerba mate varies depending on the region where it is grown and enjoyed.
Enjoy yerba mate in moderation. Check with your doctor before trying any new herb.