Your comprehensive guide to choosing, preparing, and enjoying yerba mate in the UK
TLDR: Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink packed with caffeine, antioxidants, and health benefits. This guide covers everything: what it is, the different types (with stems, without stems, tea bags, flavoured), how to prepare it, equipment you need, and expert recommendations for beginners and experienced drinkers.
Last updated: March 2026
Yerba mate — also known as mate tea, mate drink, or simply yerba tea — has taken the UK by storm as the ultimate alternative to coffee and traditional tea. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or looking to deepen your mate experience, this guide covers everything you need to know about this remarkable South American drink.
At UruShop, we’ve been supplying yerba mate to UK customers for over a decade. We stock the widest range of authentic yerba mate brands, gourds, and bombillas — all shipped from our UK warehouse with free delivery over £50.
Table of Contents
- What is Yerba Mate?
- Yerba Mate Benefits
- Yerba Mate vs Coffee vs Green Tea
- Types of Yerba Mate
- How to Prepare Yerba Mate
- Essential Equipment
- How to Choose Your Yerba Mate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Buy Yerba Mate in the UK
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate (pronounced “yer-bah mah-tay”) is a traditional South American mate drink made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, a species of holly native to the subtropical forests of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Often called mate tea in the UK, it’s technically a herbal infusion rather than a true tea.
Unlike regular tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, yerba mate offers a unique flavour profile — earthy, herbaceous, and slightly bitter — along with a distinctive energy boost that millions of South Americans have enjoyed for centuries.
A Drink with Deep Roots
The indigenous Guaraní people of Paraguay discovered yerba mate long before European colonisation, calling it “ka’a” and using it for its stimulating and medicinal properties. When Spanish colonisers arrived in the 16th century, they quickly adopted the drink, and Jesuit missionaries began cultivating mate plantations.
Today, yerba mate is the national drink of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. In these countries, it’s more than just a beverage — it’s a social ritual, a symbol of friendship, and an integral part of daily life. Argentines consume an average of 6kg of yerba mate per person annually.
UNESCO Recognition
In 2020, UNESCO recognised the traditional practice of drinking mate as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — a testament to its cultural significance across South America.
Why UK Drinkers Are Choosing Mate
The UK has seen growing interest in yerba mate as health-conscious consumers seek alternatives to coffee. Mate offers sustained energy without the jitters, a rich antioxidant profile, and a unique social drinking experience that’s quite unlike anything else.
Yerba Mate Benefits
Yerba mate has been studied extensively for its potential health benefits. While it’s not a miracle cure, research suggests several compelling reasons to make mate part of your routine.
Energy and Mental Focus
Yerba mate contains approximately 85mg of caffeine per serving — similar to a cup of coffee. But here’s where it gets interesting: mate also contains theobromine (the compound in chocolate that creates a feel-good effect) and theophylline (which promotes smooth muscle relaxation).
This combination creates what mate drinkers call a “clean” energy boost:
- Sustained alertness without the spike-and-crash cycle
- Enhanced mental clarity and focus
- Reduced likelihood of caffeine jitters
- A gentle, productive energy that lasts for hours
Many students, professionals, and athletes choose yerba mate specifically for this balanced stimulation.
Rich in Antioxidants
Yerba mate contains a powerful array of antioxidants, including:
- Polyphenols — compounds that help protect cells from damage
- Saponins — which may support immune function
- Chlorogenic acid — also found in green coffee beans
Some studies suggest yerba mate contains more antioxidants than green tea, making it an excellent choice for those looking to boost their intake of protective plant compounds.
Digestive Support
Traditional South American medicine has long used yerba mate to support digestion. The drink may stimulate bile production (aiding fat digestion), support healthy gut motility, and help relieve occasional bloating or discomfort. Many mate drinkers enjoy a gourd after meals as a digestive ritual.
Weight Management Support
Research indicates yerba mate may support weight management through several mechanisms: increased metabolic rate, appetite modulation, and enhanced fat oxidation — particularly during exercise. While yerba mate isn’t a magic weight loss solution, it can be a useful addition to a healthy lifestyle.
Note: While traditional use and some research support these benefits, yerba mate should complement, not replace, medical advice and a balanced diet.
Yerba Mate vs Coffee vs Green Tea
How does yerba mate compare to coffee and green tea? Here’s a side-by-side breakdown to help you decide if mate tea is the right choice for you.
| Yerba Mate | Coffee | Green Tea | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | ~85mg | ~95mg | ~30mg |
| Antioxidants | Very high | Moderate | High |
| Energy feel | Smooth, sustained | Fast spike, then crash | Gentle, mild |
| Jitters | Rare | Common | Rare |
| Theobromine | Yes (feel-good effect) | Trace | Trace |
| L-Theanine | No | No | Yes (calming) |
| Calories | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Best for | All-day focus & energy | Quick morning boost | Relaxed alertness |
The key advantage of yerba mate over coffee is the balanced stimulation — the combination of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline creates sustained energy without the spike-and-crash cycle. Many people who switch from coffee to mate report better focus, fewer jitters, and more consistent energy throughout the day.
For a deeper look at how mate and coffee compare, read our detailed yerba mate vs coffee comparison.
Types of Yerba Mate
Not all yerba mate is created equal. Understanding the different types will help you find your perfect match.
With Stems (Con Palo)
Best for: Beginners, those who prefer milder flavours
Yerba mate “con palo” includes both leaves and stems in the blend. The stems create a milder, less bitter flavour, release flavour more slowly (great for longer sessions), and result in a slightly lower caffeine concentration per gram.
Popular con palo brands: Taragüí Con Palo (Argentina’s best-selling brand), Playadito (smooth and approachable), Rosamonte Suave (gentle introduction to mate).
If you’re new to yerba mate, we recommend starting with a con palo variety to ease into the flavour.
Without Stems (Sin Palo / Despalada)
Best for: Experienced drinkers, those who want intense flavour
Yerba mate “sin palo” or “despalada” is made purely from leaves, resulting in stronger, more robust flavour, higher caffeine concentration, and more intense, shorter-lived infusions.
Popular sin palo brands: Amanda Despalada (classic strong mate), Rosamonte (full-bodied and popular), La Merced (premium quality).
Yerba Mate Tea Bags
Best for: Beginners, office use, travel, convenience
If you love the idea of yerba mate but aren’t ready for the traditional gourd setup, yerba mate tea bags offer the perfect introduction. Tea bags provide:
- No equipment required — just hot water and a mug
- Same health benefits as loose leaf
- Convenient for work, travel, or on-the-go
- Familiar brewing method for UK tea drinkers
- Consistent strength every time
Popular tea bag options include Pajarito, Cruz de Malta, and Matte Leão. Many brands also offer flavoured tea bags with mint, citrus, or fruit additions.
Pro tip: Yerba mate tea bags make excellent iced tea in summer. Brew double-strength, chill, and serve over ice with a slice of lemon.
Browse our yerba mate tea bags collection →
Flavoured Yerba Mate
Best for: Those who find traditional mate too bitter, variety seekers
Flavoured yerba mate blends combine traditional mate with herbs, fruits, or other natural flavourings:
- Citrus varieties (lemon, orange, grapefruit) — bright and refreshing
- Mint varieties — cooling and digestive
- Berry varieties — fruity and approachable
- Herbal blends — with chamomile, boldo, or other herbs
Popular flavoured brands: CBSé (wide range of fruit flavours), Taragüí Citrus del Litoral (citrus blend), Kurupí (Paraguayan brand with unique herbs).
Organic Yerba Mate
Best for: Health-conscious buyers, environmental advocates
Organic yerba mate is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. Many organic producers also use unsmoked drying methods (for a cleaner, greener flavour), shade-grown cultivation (better for biodiversity), and fair trade practices (supporting farming communities).
Premium organic brand: Kraus Organic — German-Argentine quality, unsmoked, with a clean, smooth flavour. One of the few certified organic yerba mates available in the UK.
By Country of Origin
Each yerba mate-producing country has developed distinct styles:
Argentine Yerba Mate — The most common type worldwide. Often smoke-dried, giving a robust, slightly smoky character. Typically aged 12-24 months for a strong, bold flavour. Brands: Taragüí, Rosamonte, Amanda, La Merced.
Brazilian Yerba Mate (Chimarrão) — Finely ground, almost powder-like texture with a bright green colour. Mild, grassy flavour that requires specific preparation. Brands: Barão, Mate Leão.
Paraguayan Yerba Mate — Often includes traditional medicinal herbs (pohã ñana). Frequently smoke-dried and popular for tereré (cold mate). Brands: Pajarito, Kurupí, Selecta.
Uruguayan Yerba Mate — Similar to Argentine style but often stronger with more dust (polvo). Brands: Canarias, Sara.
How to Prepare Yerba Mate
There’s no single “right” way to enjoy yerba mate. Here are the most popular methods:
Traditional Hot Mate
This is the authentic South American way to drink mate, using a gourd and bombilla.
What you need: Mate gourd (calabaza, wood, or ceramic), bombilla (metal straw with filter), yerba mate (loose leaf), hot water at 70-80°C (NOT boiling), and a thermos to keep water hot.
Basic steps:
- Fill your gourd about 2/3 full with yerba mate
- Cover the opening and shake gently to bring fine particles to the top
- Tilt the gourd so yerba forms a slope
- Pour a small amount of cool water into the lower “well” and let it absorb
- Insert the bombilla into the wet yerba at an angle
- Pour hot water (70-80°C) into the well
- Drink, refill, repeat!
Key tips: Never use boiling water — it burns the leaves and creates bitter flavour. Don’t stir or move the bombilla once placed. Expect 15-20 refills from one gourd before the flavour fades.
For detailed instructions with photos, see our complete mate preparation guide.
Cold Tereré
Tereré is Paraguay’s refreshing answer to hot mate — perfect for summer. Fill a cup 2/3 with yerba mate, add ice, pour cold water or fruit juice, and drink through a bombilla. Orange juice, lemonade, or coconut water make excellent bases.
Tea Bag Method
The simplest way to enjoy yerba mate:
- Place one yerba mate tea bag in your favourite mug
- Add hot water (80°C — just before boiling)
- Steep for 3-5 minutes (longer for stronger flavour)
- Remove bag and enjoy
Variations: Add honey or a slice of lemon. Brew double-strength and pour over ice for iced mate. Mix with your favourite herbal tea.
Essential Equipment
While tea bags require no special equipment, traditional mate preparation needs a few key items.
Mate Gourd (Calabaza)
The gourd is your mate vessel. Options include:
- Natural Calabash — Traditional choice made from dried squash. Develops unique flavour over time. Requires “curing” before first use. Best for experienced mate drinkers.
- Wood — Durable and attractive. Palo santo wood adds subtle flavour. Some lined with aluminium for easier care.
- Ceramic or Glass — Easy to clean and maintain. No curing required. Good for beginners. Come in many designs.
- Silicone — Modern, unbreakable option. Dishwasher safe. Good for travel.
Bombilla (Metal Straw)
The bombilla is a metal straw with a filtered end that allows you to drink mate while filtering out the leaves.
Types: Flat filter (wider filtering surface, good for fine-cut yerba), spoon filter (traditional style, works with most yerba types), spring filter (built-in spring mechanism, excellent filtration).
Materials: Stainless steel (durable, affordable, easy to clean), alpaca/nickel silver (traditional, develops patina), bamboo (eco-friendly, best for cold drinks).
Starter Kits
New to mate? A starter kit includes everything you need: gourd, bombilla, sample yerba mate, and instructions. This is the most cost-effective way to begin your yerba mate journey.
How to Choose Your Yerba Mate
With so many options available, here’s how to find your perfect mate:
For Beginners
Start with yerba con palo (with stems) for milder flavour, flavoured varieties if you find plain mate too bitter, or tea bags if you want the simplest introduction.
Our beginner recommendations: Playadito (consistently smooth and approachable), Taragüí Con Palo (classic, mild, widely loved), CBSé Honey (sweetened for easier introduction).
For Experienced Drinkers
Ready to explore: sin palo / despalada for intense flavour, single-origin varieties to taste terroir differences, aged mate for complex, mellow character, or organic unsmoked for a completely different experience.
Our recommendations for enthusiasts: La Merced Barbacuá (oak-smoked, premium), Kraus Organic (unsmoked, pure), Amanda Despalada (strong classic).
By Taste Preference
| If you like… | Try… |
|---|---|
| Strong coffee | Amanda Despalada, Rosamonte |
| Green tea | Kraus Organic, Pajarito Despalada |
| Mild, smooth drinks | Playadito, Taragüí Suave |
| Fruity flavours | CBSé, Kurupí |
| Smoky notes | Rosamonte, La Merced Barbacuá |
By Occasion
- Morning energy: Strong sin palo varieties
- Afternoon focus: Medium-strength con palo
- After dinner: Digestive blends with herbs
- Summer refreshment: Paraguayan brands for tereré
- Office/travel: Tea bags
Frequently Asked Questions
Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s prepared by steeping the leaves in hot water and drinking through a metal straw called a bombilla from a gourd. Yerba mate is the national drink of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, enjoyed daily by millions for its energising properties and social ritual.
Mate drink (also called yerba mate or mate tea) is a caffeinated beverage made from the leaves of the South American Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s traditionally served in a gourd and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla. Popular across Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, mate is now enjoyed worldwide — including the UK — as a natural alternative to coffee and energy drinks.
Yes, yerba mate is technically a herbal tea (tisane) made from the leaves of the mate plant. While traditionally prepared in a gourd with a bombilla, yerba mate tea bags are also available for a more familiar brewing method. Many UK tea drinkers enjoy yerba mate as a healthier, more energising alternative to regular tea.
Many people find yerba mate a better alternative to coffee because it provides similar caffeine levels (around 85mg per serving) but with a smoother, more sustained energy boost. Mate contains theobromine and theophylline alongside caffeine, which helps avoid the jitters and crash common with coffee. It also provides more antioxidants per cup. That said, it comes down to personal preference — some people prefer the stronger, faster kick of coffee.
A typical serving of mate tea contains around 85mg of caffeine — roughly equal to a cup of coffee and about double that of black tea. The exact amount varies by brand and preparation: stronger sin palo varieties have more caffeine, while con palo blends with stems have slightly less. Cold-brewed tereré tends to extract less caffeine than hot mate.
Yerba mate has an earthy, herbaceous flavour with grassy notes and a characteristic slight bitterness. The taste varies significantly by brand and type: Argentine mate is often bold and slightly smoky, Brazilian chimarrão is mild and grassy, while Paraguayan varieties can be robust with herbal notes. Flavoured options add citrus, mint, or berry notes.
Yerba mate is generally safe for most adults when consumed in moderate amounts (1–3 servings per day). Possible side effects are similar to other caffeinated drinks: difficulty sleeping, restlessness, or stomach upset if consumed in excess. As with any hot beverage, avoid drinking mate at very high temperatures — let your water cool to 70–80°C before pouring, as recommended in traditional preparation.
Research suggests yerba mate may support weight management by boosting metabolism, reducing appetite, and increasing fat oxidation during exercise. However, it’s not a magic solution — it works best as part of a healthy diet and active lifestyle. Many people find the sustained energy helpful for staying active throughout the day.
Yes, drinking yerba mate daily is common practice across South America, where many people consume several litres per day. Most studies consider 1–3 litres of mate per day as moderate consumption. For UK beginners, starting with 1–2 servings per day is a good approach. As with any caffeinated beverage, listen to your body and avoid drinking mate late in the evening if it affects your sleep.
Traditional mate is prepared by filling a gourd 2/3 with yerba mate leaves, creating a slope, inserting a bombilla, and adding hot water (70–80°C — never boiling). You drink and refill multiple times. For beginners, yerba mate tea bags offer a simpler method: steep in hot water for 3–5 minutes. In summer, you can enjoy mate cold as tereré.
You can buy yerba mate online from specialist UK retailers like UruShop, which offers the widest range of authentic South American brands, gourds, and bombillas with free UK delivery over £50. While some health food shops stock yerba mate tea bags, specialist online stores offer the best selection of traditional brands.
Beginners should start with yerba mate “con palo” (with stems), which has a milder, less bitter flavour. Good starter brands include Playadito, Taragüí Con Palo, or Rosamonte Suave. Alternatively, flavoured varieties or tea bags offer an easy introduction to the mate experience.
Buy Yerba Mate in the UK
Ready to start your yerba mate journey? UruShop is the UK’s leading specialist retailer, offering:
The Widest Selection — 30+ authentic yerba mate brands from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Traditional gourds, bombillas, and accessories. Starter kits perfect for beginners.
Fast UK Delivery — Shipped from our UK warehouse. Free delivery on UK mainland orders over £50. Most orders arrive within 1–3 working days.
Expert Knowledge — Over 10 years serving UK mate drinkers. Dedicated customer support. Brewing guides and resources.
Can’t Find Yerba Mate Near You?
While a few health food shops in London and major cities stock yerba mate tea bags, the widest selection of authentic brands is available online. UruShop ships from our UK warehouse to any address in the United Kingdom, with free delivery over £50. Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or anywhere else in the UK, your mate arrives within 1–3 working days.
Last updated: March 2026