Frequently asked questions about yerba mate

Quick ones

  • What is Yerba Mate?

    Ilex paraguariensis, by its botanical name, or yerba maté, is a tree that grows in southern countries of South America, mainly Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Yerba Mate leaves are naturally caffeinated and picked and dried for consumption, traditionally infused in a calabash (small container), using the bombilla (filtering straw) and by adding hot water.

    Mate Libre uses these same leaves to offer a refreshing, tangy, floral, slightly sweet and energizing beverage. Learn more about what is Yerba Mate

  • Is it safe to drink Yerba Mate everyday?

    Absolutely! Like coffee or tea, yerba mate is definitely safe to drink every day and locals in South America drink anywhere between 1-4 litres of a day. While we don’t recommend drinking THAT much (especially for those not used to drinking caffeine) feel free to incorporate yerba mate drinks into your daily routine!

  • When to drink it?

    Instead of a morning coffee, after lunch to avoid the digesting crash, before a night out... and the next morning!

  • Where to buy?

    Mate Libre is available across Canada in a huge selection of retailers!

    Visit the retailers page

Product

  • Sugars + Calories

    One bottle (330ml) of Mate Libre contains 14g of sugars and 60 calories. The sugar used is organic agave syrup.

  • How long until Mate Libre energizes me?

    The natural occurring caffeine infused from the yerba mate leaves will energize you in about 15 to 30 minutes after drinking Mate Libre.

  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)?

    Yerba mate leaves are traditionally dried over wood fire. The smoke and ashes from this type of drying produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), a carcinogenic compound. Our yerba mate used to produce Mate Libre is air dried and never gets in contact with smoke or ashes. No PAH in our yerba mate!

  • Free shipping

    Free shipping in Canada for all orders over $50, excluding remote cities, rural areas and territories.

True or false

  • Is it tea?

    No! Mate Libre is made out of a yerba mate infusion. Tea comes from the leaves of the tree namedcamellia sinensis. Different kinds of teas, white, oolong, pu'er (aged), black, are made out of different fermentation period (drying) of the leaves. Yerba mate comes from the leaves of the tree bearing the same name, yerba mate, or its botanical name:Ilex paraguariensis. The yerba mate tree grows naturally from many South American countries. To name a few: Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.

  • Is it a kombucha?

    No! Mate Libre is a yerba mate infusion. No fermentation. No vinegar taste. Much more energizing!

    More energizing than a kombucha? A whole lot more! A kombucha is made out of an infusion of tea and sometimes yerba mate. The fermentation process of the mushroom will consume about 70% of the infused caffeine.

  • Is it an energy drink?

    Even though Mate Libre contains caffeine, it is not considered an energy drink, as its caffeine content is moderate at 60mg per can. Mate Libre was created with the desire to offer a beverage with the stimulating benefits of yerba mate, but without being an energy drink overdosed in caffeine. A can of Mate Libre is roughly equivalent to an espresso, but the energizing effect is more controlled and prolonged.

  • Mate Libre contains caffein?

    Yes! Mate Libre contains about 55mg of caffeine per bottle of 330ml. The yerba mate leaves also contain theobromine and theophylline. Two energizing alkaloids that also help slow down the absorption of the caffeine in the body. This avoids having a big energy high and then a big down.