botanical & herbal teas
Organic Yerba Maté (Shade Grown)
Yerba Maté is the unofficial "tea" of Latin America, particularly Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and is a plant indigenous to the Amazon areas. It is popular for its stimulating energy (a cup of yerba maté has a caffeine level comparable to that of coffee) and robust flavor. Yerba Maté is also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Our organic Yerba Maté is a renewable rainforest product and in many regions has become an alternative source of income to destructive logging.
Yerba Maté is becoming increasingly popular in the United States as a drink that can provide a wake-up kick combined with many of the healthy properties of a green tea (plus a little more!). This herbal "tea" has the ability to energize without the jittery edge associated with coffee. It is also a healthy drink which delivers natural antioxidant polyphenols, immune system supporting saponins which provide anti-inflammatory and cholesterol lowering properties, and contains a wide spectrum of healthy vitamins and minerals*. (Unlike most other herbal blends, Yerba Maté contains a substance similar to caffeine which is known as “matteine” responsible for it's stimulating energy and should not be consumed by those who avoid caffeine.)
How to Prepare your Yerba Maté Tea
If there is one thing holding back the popularity of Yerba Maté here in the U.S., it is the proper preparation of the "tea". For those who travel to Latin America countries and experience the preparation and social aspects of drinking Yerba Maté first hand, the preparation traditions are a part of the appeal and contribute to wanting to continue enjoying Yerba Maté back home. In Latin America, the tea is usually consumed in a hollowed-out gourd specifically seasoned for drinking the tea through a special metal straw (bombilla). Since we're going to assume the majority of our Yerba Maté drinkers will initially be brewing their tea in a cup like other loose leaf teas, our brewing instructions are adapted from traditional prepartion methods.
Yerba Maté Taste Alert - like coffee, it is a naturally bitter drink -no way to really get around it. If you brew with water that is too hot or for too long the bitterness can be overpowering. We highly recommend moderating the water temperature and in brewing err on the side of less time rather than more, then either drink plain (mate amargo) or add some sugar or honey (mate dulce). Some prefer adding a little citrus (lime or lemon) to help moderate the bitterness. Although a bit of an acquired taste, Yerba Maté has a lot going for it and is a great bridge between the coffee and tea drinking worlds.
Heat water (filtered if possible) and let cool to 160-170 degrees before adding one well rounded teaspoon of maté per cup (apprx. 8 ounces). Infuse for 3 –5 minutes depending on taste preference. Can be drunk plain, or may be sweetened if desired.
INGREDIENTS: Organic shade grown yerba maté. Origin: Paraguay.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The information here is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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