Matte Leao

Matte Leão is one of Brazil’s oldest and most recognised mate brands, with roots going back to 1901 when Agostinho Ermelino de Leão Junior founded a mate factory in Paraná state. The company pioneered new ways to enjoy mate in Brazil, introducing toasted mate in 1938 and launching the country’s first ready-to-drink iced mate in 1950. Matte Leão also created the mate tea bag in 1973, making the drink accessible to millions of everyday consumers across Brazil.

The brand’s success attracted The Coca-Cola Company, which acquired Matte Leão in 2007. Under Coca-Cola’s ownership the brand has expanded its range while staying true to its mate heritage.

Matte Leão is best known in the UK for its toasted mate tea bags and loose mate, which produce a lighter, smoother cup compared to Argentine or Uruguayan yerba mate. Brazilian-style mate is typically enjoyed as an iced drink or brewed like tea, making it an easy starting point for anyone new to mate.