Yerba maté is a tall, dioecious evergreen member of the holly family that is native to South America. The leaves of the plant are used to make a highly-caffeinated beverage known as yerba maté tea, which is extremely popular throughout South America. In fact, more than 90% of Argentinian adults consistently consume it as their morning brew. Maté cafes and maté bars are as prevalent in South America as coffee houses are in North America and Europe.

Yerba maté is also known as St. Bartholomew’s tea, Jesuit’s tea and Ilex Paraguay tea. The leaves of the yerba maté tree had been gathered in the wild by the native peoples of Paraguay and Brazil for centuries. However, it was the Spanish Jesuit missionaries who began cultivating large tracts of the plant near their missions after it was introduced to them by Guarani tribesmen.

Ingredients – Yerba Mate Leaf

Use approximately 3 grams of tea per 6 oz of water.  Increase or decrease amount of tea to taste.