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Yerba mate is a traditional South American tea made from the leaves of the holly tree Ilex paraguariensis. It is the everyday drink of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and is widely drunk in southern Brazil. This guide covers the caffeine and temperature cautions, how mate is processed, how to brew it without scalding water, and compares four organic yerba mates by origin, cut and certification.Disclaimer: This article is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or take stimulants or other medication, talk to your doctor before drinking yerba mate regularly.
Key Specs Compared
Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).
| # | Form | Size | Stated certifications | Gluten-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Loose leaf, fresh green (unaged) | 16 Ounce | USDA Organic (certified by OEFFA) | Not stated |
| 2 | Loose leaf with stems | 1.1 Pound (500 g) | Certified organic (OIA, Argentina) | Yes |
| 3 | Loose, traditional cut (unsmoked) | 16 Ounce | USDA Organic, Non-GMO, Kosher | Yes |
| 4 | Loose leaf, fresh green (unaged) | 12 Ounce | Certified organic | Not stated |
– = not stated on the Amazon listing · Specs and certifications as stated by the listing, not tested or verified by us; check the listing before you buy
Yerba mate cautions
- Yerba mate contains caffeine. The FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults.[1]
- Drinking beverages at very hot temperatures, above 65°C (149°F), is classified as probably carcinogenic and is linked to esophageal cancer. Mate drunk at cooler temperatures was not classified as a carcinogen. Let it cool before sipping.[2]
- Smoke-dried mate can contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are carcinogens. Air-dried, unsmoked mate avoids the smoke.[3]
How Yerba Mate Is Made
- Blanching (Sapecado) – Freshly harvested leaves and twigs pass quickly over fire or intense heat to stop oxidation by deactivating the leaf enzymes, which takes seconds to a few minutes.
- Drying – The yerba is dried for several hours, either with wood smoke or with hot air. Smoke drying adds a smoky flavor and PAHs.[3] Unsmoked or air-dried mate skips the smoke.
- Aging (Estacionamiento) – After coarse milling, many traditional brands age the yerba in bags for months, sometimes up to two years, for a milder flavor. Fresh green mate, like U.S. Wellness Naturals and Mate Factor, is not aged.
- Milling and Packing – The leaf, stem and powder blend sets the aroma, flavor and color. Traditional cut includes stems (con palo), while others use leaf only.
How to Brew Yerba Mate
- French Press – Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of yerba per 8 oz cup, then pour in hot but not boiling water, about 160 to 175°F (70 to 80°C). Steep 3 to 5 minutes, press and pour. Boiling water makes mate bitter. Let the cup cool before drinking.[2]
- Teapot or Infuser – Put the yerba in the strainer and wet it with a little room-temperature water for a minute. Then add water at about 160 to 175°F (70 to 80°C) and steep 3 to 5 minutes.
- Cold (Tereré) – Steep in cold water for 20 minutes or longer, then strain. Cold mate avoids the very-hot-drink concern entirely.
Organic Yerba Mate Labels
- USDA Organic – Organic yerba mate is overseen by a USDA-authorized certifying agent and made without excluded methods such as ionizing radiation.[4]
- Organic Is Not a Nutrition Claim – Organic certification covers how the leaves are grown and processed, not caffeine content.[4]
- Argentine Certifiers – Anna Park is certified organic in Argentina by the OIA, so check which seal is on the bag.
What the Research Says
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified drinking very hot beverages, above 65°C, as probably carcinogenic to humans, while mate drunk at lower temperatures was not classifiable.[2] A 2008 study found high levels of carcinogenic PAHs in mate drinks, linked to the smoke used to dry the leaves.[3] The FDA has cited 400 milligrams of caffeine a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects in most healthy adults.[1] Organic labels follow USDA rules.[4]How We Chose These Products
We do not test products. We compare product details: organic certification, origin, whether the mate is smoked or aged, cut and size.[4] We removed a mate without an organic claim. Brands don’t pay to be included, though we may earn a commission from purchases.Our Organic Yerba Mate Picks
These four organic yerba mates range from 12 oz to 1.1 lb and come from Brazil and Argentina. With every purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.1
U.S. Wellness Naturals® Organic Yerba Mate Certified organic yerba mate, 1 pound
- U.S. Wellness Naturals Organic Yerba Mate is a 1 lb bag of fresh green loose leaf mate from Brazil.
- It is certified organic by OEFFA and carries the USDA Organic seal.
- The mate is not aged, which keeps the color green.
- The packaging is a BPA-free multi-layer polymer bag.
2
Anna Park® Organic Yerba Mate Organic yerba mate leaves, 500 grams
- Anna Park Organic Yerba Mate is a 500 g (1.1 lb) pack of loose leaf mate with stems.
- It is grown in Misiones, Argentina, and certified organic in Argentina.
- It is naturally aged, with no smokiness.
- It is gluten-free and vegan, with no artificial flavors or colors.
3
Ecoteas® Organic Yerba Mate Organic loose yerba mate, traditional cut
- Ecoteas Organic Yerba Mate is a 1 lb bag of traditional cut mate from Argentina.
- It is USDA Organic, non-GMO, kosher and gluten-free.
- The mate is air dried instead of wood smoked.
- The blend holds leaf, stem (con palo) and natural powder.
- Steep it in 170 to 180°F water for hot mate, or cold brew it for 20 minutes or longer.
4
Mate Factor® Green Mate Tea Organic loose green yerba mate
- Mate Factor Fresh Green Organic Yerba Mate is a 12 oz bag of loose tea.
- The only ingredient is certified organic fresh green Brazilian yerba mate.
- The mate is never smoked and never aged.
- It suits a gourd and bombilla, a French press or an infuser.
Index Table: Organic Yerba Mate Compared
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | U.S. Wellness Naturals Organic Yerba Mate - Certified organic yerba mate, 1 pound |  |
| U.S. Wellness Naturals |
| 2 | Anna Park Organic Yerba Mate - Organic yerba mate leaves, 500 grams |  |
| Anna Park |
| 3 | Ecoteas Organic Yerba Mate - Organic loose yerba mate, traditional cut |  |
| Ecoteas |
| 4 | Mate Factor Green Mate Tea - Organic loose green yerba mate |  |
| Mate Factor |
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO). IARC Monographs evaluate drinking coffee, maté, and very hot beverages. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- Kamangar F, et al. High levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in mate drinks. Accessed October 25, 2026.
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Labeling Standards. Accessed October 25, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the guide text and product notes, removed the unsupported benefit claims and the retail-page sources, tightened the caffeine, hot-drink and smoke-drying cautions with sources, corrected the Ecoteas and Anna Park details, set the Key Specs to cut, size and certification, and replaced the sources (FDA, IARC, PubMed, USDA AMS)
- Jun 2020: Added Mate Factor Green Mate Tea and Cruz de Malta Yerba Mate Tea
- Jan 2020: First published
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