Yerba Mate, Loose

Yerba mate — the dried leaves and stems of the South American holly tree, traditionally drunk through a metal straw from a hollowed gourd. The national beverage of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.

Details

• Origin: Brazil
• Certified organic
• Loose, traditional preparation

Ingredients

• Organic yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

Suggested use

Traditionally prepared in a gourd ('mate') with a metal straw ('bombilla'): fill 2/3 of the gourd with yerba, tilt to one side, add cool water to settle, then top with hot (not boiling) water. Drink and refill the gourd repeatedly. Also brews well as loose leaf tea — 1 tsp per cup, 75-80°C water, 3-5 minutes.

Traditional uses

Yerba mate was first cultivated and used by the Guaraní people of South America centuries before European arrival. Traditionally consumed for sustained energy and clarity through the day — it contains naturally occurring caffeine alongside theobromine and theophylline, the same family of compounds found in tea and cacao. The shared gourd is a sign of friendship and hospitality.

About the mate ritual

In traditional Argentine, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan culture, the gourd of mate is shared among friends and family, with everyone drinking through the same straw — a sign of total acceptance and friendship. The word mate comes from the Guaraní word for the gourd itself.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place in a well-sealed container. Keep away from direct sunlight.