Yerba Mate

Description Grade Brewing Caffeine Yerba Mate, also known as Paraguay tea, comes from the South American evergreen shrub Illex paraguayensis.  This loose leaf herbal tea is harvested and processed similar to tea leaves.  Like guarana and yopo, mate contains caffeine.  The flavor is green and vegetative and is one South America's traditional beverages rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids.   Origin:  Parana Brazil Grade:  Green Unroasted Altitude: 1500 - 3000 feet above sea level Manufacture Type:  Traditional Characteristics:  Greenish and vegetative. Mate is rich in caffeine and was used as a caffeine beverage in Latin America before the advent of coffee. Hot Tea Brewing Recommendations: AMOUNT TO USE: Put 1 slightly heaping teaspoon of loose tea for each 7-9 oz/200-260 ml of water in the teapot. Pour freshly boiled water over tea. BREWING RECOMMENDATIONS: Steep 3-7 minutes. Milk and sugar are not recommended. Iced Tea Preparation Recommendations: AMOUNT TO USE: To make 1 L/1 QT, put 6 slightly heaping teaspoons of loose tea into a teapot. Pour 1¼ cups/315ml of boiling water over tea. BREWING RECOMMENDATIONS: Steep 5 minutes. Fill a serving pitcher 1/4 full with cold water. Pour tea into serving pitcher straining the tea. Add ice, top-up with cold water, garnish and sweeten to taste. Caffeine Level ~ MEDIUM