For centuries, people have been using yerba mate as a way to get a healthy energy boost. It is growing in popularity around the world and many people are just now learning about this incredible plant and drink. Today, we wanted to walk you through everything you need to know about yerba mate and a yerba mate energy drink: where it comes from, why it’s so popular, its history and how you can enjoy its many benefits.

What is Yerba Mate?

“Yerba mate” is the common name for the Ilex paraguariensis plant, a bush that grows in Paraguay. We’ll get more into the history of the plant later on but the most important thing to know right away is that it’s one of the few plants in the world that naturally has a high, impactful level of caffeine in it.

Traditionally, yerba mate is served as a hot tea in a gourd. The leaves and stems of the yerba mate plant are typically dried over an open flame and then steeped in a gourd filled with hot water.

Today, you can find yerba mate in almost anything, from smoothies to supplements and more. In fact, it is commonly found in organic and natural energy drinks, which people can enjoy in a wide range of flavors. The yerba mate energy drink is quickly becoming one of the more popular alternatives to synthetic energy drinks and coffee.

Where Does Yerba Mate Come From?

Yerba mate is a plant that comes from South America. It was first discovered by the Guaraní people, who started to cultivate it to use as a pick-me-up in the pre-colonial days. After colonization, it became the country’s chief export, and soon people were enjoying the beverage around the world. Today, you can find farms for yerba mate all over South America and it still grows naturally in the region as well.

What Benefits Does Yerba Mate Offer?

Yerba mate is a plant that offers a more naturalistic alternative to chemical energy drinks and coffee. Since, like coffee, it has naturally high levels of caffeine, it is often used for energy boosts. Those who drink yerba mate over coffee often report that they don’t experience the side effects that can come with coffee, such as shakiness, trouble concentrating and anxiety. This may be because yerba mate does have less overall caffeine than your average cup of coffee. It could also be because yerba mate is leaves and stems of a plant rather than the concentrated, roasted beans that come from coffee.

Is It Popular?

Yerba mate is incredibly popular where it’s from and increasingly popular around the world. It’s particularly popular in Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. In Argentina, more yerba mate is drunk than coffee by a significant margin. It is also gaining popularity elsewhere. Spain and Syria in particular have become major hotspots for yerba mate exports, where people consume it for a much-needed energy boost and its potential energy benefits. Many people love its simple and unique taste, which blends together well with other flavors. This makes yerba mate a great base ingredient for a number of drinks and smoothies.

One of the most popular ways to consume yerba mate today, besides as a traditional tea, is in a yerba mate energy drink. Since yerba mate naturally has caffeine, it can serve as a natural alternative to chemical energy drinks and coffee. In fact, you can find a yerba mate energy drink in almost any flavor, including sparkling teas that you can conveniently carry and pop open whenever you need a boost.

Some companies have even started incorporating the power of adaptogens into their yerba mate-based energy drinks. Adaptogens, which can help the body in processing stress hormones, are a fantastic alternative that can help you get a more natural boost in energy without the anxiety or stress reactions that can come with coffee or chemical energy drinks.

Why Try a Yerba Mate Energy Drink

Yerba mate energy drinks are a great way to get an energy boost that doesn’t come from synthetic chemicals or another cup of coffee. This incredible plant has been enjoyed by people for centuries for its naturalistic way to increasing energy without the side effects that can come with other energy drinks.