Mate Tea Info

Browse all Teavana Mate Teas.

Mate teas are made from the South American yerba mate plant.  Most yerba mate comes from Argentina; at these plantations, the leaves and stems of yerba mate are harvested and then blanched, dried, aged, and finally milled or cut.  The final yerba mate tea product contains a natural energy booster.  This feel good tea is often coffee lover’s favorite tea since it has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. The energy effect is similar to that as drinking coffee but without the jitters.

History of Yerba Mate Teas

Early South American tribes had discovered the wild yerba mate plant and considered the mate tea “the drink of the gods.” During the 16^th century in Argentina, the Spanish conquistadors took a liking to the mate tea and spread the consumption of this nutritious herbal tea.  Eventually it was Jesuit missionaries that spread mate tea drinking and the creation of yerba mate plantations to other parts of South America.  The Jesuits found the secret to successfully growing yerba mate was the use only seeds that passed through the digestive system of certain birds.  This secret left with the Jesuits when they were expelled in 1769.  Much later, a French botanist figured out the secret of yerba mate seed germination but then disappeared.  By the early 1900s, the secret revealed itself again and cultivation of yerba mate tea on plantations resumed.

The Best Yerba Mate Teas

The best mate tea for coffee drinkers is My Morning Mate Tea. It combined black tea, mate tea and a touch of spice for that coffee flavor you enjoy. And it has almost as much caffeine to get you going as your favorite coffee. Samurai Chai Mate is the best spicy mate tea.  Full of strong spices, herbs, and citrus flavors, this is an energizing mate tea. But for a fruitier flavor, try Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate tea and throw in a touch of our Rock Sugar. Absolutely delicious! View all Teavana Mate Teas. 

Mate Tea Preparation

To prepare mate tea, 1 tsp of loose mate tea should be added to 8oz of boiling water.  The mate tea should steep for 5-6 minutes.  Like other herbal teas, mate tea can be blended with other teas to create a new taste and maximize health benefits.  For example, Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate Tea mixed with Weight to Go! Pu-erh Tea makes a delicious tea blend that can be part of your complete weight loss plan.