Yerba Mate Guides

A single wildflower in the swirled green, blue, purple, and warm tan colors of the Iruya glaze.
Hello Fall: Our Iruya Limited Edition Yerba Mate Gourd Has Arrived
The Iruya is a fall limited edition insulated ceramic mate gourd, handcrafted by CICLO in Buenos Aires and inspired by the colors of a Salta autumn. Only 35 are available... Read more...
A woman in a pink beanie holds her skis and sips yerba mate through a bombilla at the entrance to Kirkwood Mountain Village.
How to Travel With Yerba Mate, Simplified
A packing system for bringing yerba mate anywhere: how much to bring, the pieces of gear that make it easy, and how to handle wind and spent leaves on the... Read more...
Women's yellow futsal team gathered together on the field
Bringing Yerba Mate to Your Sports Team
Yerba mate has traveled with soccer for generations. Here's where the connection comes from, and how to bring the routine to your own team. Read more...
A group of four friends sit together on a rocky hilltop sharing Yerba Crew mate at sunset.
Bitter Yerba Mate? Here's How to Fix It
Bitter yerba mate almost always comes down to one of three things: the wrong amount of yerba, water that's too hot, or a moved bombilla. Here's how to fix each... Read more...
A winged stainless steel infuser basket resting on the rim of a clear glass mug
Yerba Mate vs Energy Drinks: An Honest Comparison
A comparison for anyone looking at yerba mate as an alternative to energy drinks: caffeine, format, and two real ways to make the swap, one fast and one slower. Read more...
Two women sit and chat on stone museum steps, drinking yerba mate together.
The Best Time of Day to Drink Yerba Mate
There is no single best time to drink yerba mate. A practical look at mornings, afternoons, evenings, and the shared weekend round, with caffeine hedged and tradition kept separate from... Read more...
Yerba Crew yerba mate welcome kit for Philadelphia's newest arrival
What Yerba Mate Would LeBron James Drink in Philadelphia?
A four-time champion is headed to the 76ers, so we imagined the yerba mate welcome kit we would pour for Philadelphia's newest arrival: a ripple bombilla, a black suede yerbera,... Read more...
Women players sitting and laughing together on the turf.
Why Do Athletes Drink Yerba Mate?
From Messi to the Argentina and Uruguay national teams, athletes carry yerba mate everywhere they go. The real reason is less about performance and more about home. Read more...
A group of four friends laugh together on a rocky hilltop sharing Yerba Crew mate at sunset.
What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like? A Beginner's Flavor Guide
What yerba mate actually tastes like, why one bag differs from the next, and how to find the cup that fits your day. Read more...
A hand holds a Yerba Crew mate gourd against a sunset view of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia.
How Much Caffeine Is in Yerba Mate?
A cup of yerba mate sits close to coffee, around 80 mg, but the real number depends on how you brew it. Here is what to expect, what changes it,... Read more...
A dark wood yerba mate gourd with a silver bombilla on a table at golden hour
How to keep your yerba mate bombilla from clogging
A few simple habits keep your bombilla clear and the leaves out of your sip. Here is how to pack the gourd, pour the water, pick a filtered bombilla, and... Read more...
what is yerba mate and how to start
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate, explained for beginners: what it is, what it tastes like, how it is traditionally shared, and how to start your own ritual at home. Read more...
Drinking fresh yerba mate on the beach
Does Yerba Mate Expire or Go Stale?
Does yerba mate really expire? What the date means, how to spot stale yerba, and how to store it so it stays fresh for years. Read more...
Choosing Your First Yerba Mate to Try
Choosing Your First Yerba Mate to Try
New to mate? A beginner's guide to the regional styles, picking a gentle first yerba, and choosing your gourd and bombilla. Read more...
How to Prepare Tereré (Cold Yerba Mate)
How to Prepare Tereré (Cold Yerba Mate)
Paraguay's refreshing cold mate. What you need, which herbs and fruit to add, and a simple step-by-step to make tereré for hot days. Read more...
how to prepare yerba mate. pouring yerba mate,
How to Prepare Yerba Mate: A Simple Step-by-Step Routine
How I make yerba mate every morning, step by step, from filling the gourd to the first sips. Beginner-friendly, mess-ups included. Read more...
Smoked vs Unsmoked Yerba Mate: What's the Difference?
Smoked vs Unsmoked Yerba Mate: What's the Difference?
How smoked (barbacuá) and unsmoked yerba mate are made, how they taste, what the research really says about safety, and how to choose. Read more...
All about bombillas. Different types and how they work.
All About Bombillas: The Yerba Mate Straw Explained
What a bombilla is, where the name comes from, and how to choose one, everything about the yerba mate straw that filters your mate as you sip. Read more...
TikTok Yerba Mate Powders vs Traditional Yerba Mate
TikTok Yerba Mate Powders vs Traditional Yerba Mate
I tried a TikTok-viral yerba mate powder. Here's how it really compares to traditional yerba mate on taste, sourcing, and the GLP-1 hype, plus a faster real option. Read more...
From Seed to Drink: How Yerba Mate Is Made
From Seed to Drink: How Yerba Mate Is Made
The full journey of yerba mate, from planting and harvest through drying, aging, and blending, a process that takes at least five years from seed to drink. Read more...
The Best Insulated Thermos for Yerba Mate
The Best Insulated Thermos for Yerba Mate
How to choose a thermos for yerba mate: the right size, stainless steel vs glass, our top picks, and how to care for it. Read more...
A gourd of yerba mate in the park
Using Yerba Mate as Fertilizer
Used yerba mate can get a second life in the garden. Learn how to compost spent yerba, add it to soil, and which plants benefit, with simple tips. Read more...
Do's and Don'ts of drinking yerba mate. What not to do.
The Dos and Don'ts of Drinking Yerba Mate
Mate has its own quiet etiquette. The dos and don'ts of sharing a gourd, from the cebador and the order to not stirring the bombilla. Read more...
How to pick a yerba mate gourd
How to Choose a Yerba Mate Cup: A Simple Guide
Overwhelmed by mate cup options? Match the material and size to your style of mate, with a quick cheat-sheet and whether you need to cure your gourd. Read more...
Pouring yerba mate into a gourd with yerba mate and a bombilla
Taking Care of Your Yerba Mate Kit
Cure a new gourd, keep your gourd and bombilla clean, and store your yerba right, so your whole mate kit lasts and stays mold-free. Read more...
Hot water being poured into a yerba mate gourd
Yerba Mate vs Green Tea: Which Is Better?
How yerba mate and green tea compare on caffeine, flavor, antioxidants, and preparation, and how to pick the one that fits you. Read more...
Best ingredients to add to yerba mate
Ingredients You Can Add to Your Yerba Mate
Sweeteners, spices, citrus, coffee, milk, even a splash of alcohol. Over 15 traditional ways to change up the flavor of your mate. Read more...
How to grow a yerba mate tree
How to Grow a Yerba Mate Tree at Home
Can you grow your own yerba mate? A simple guide to the climate, soil, and care the tree needs, plus how to start from seeds or cuttings. Read more...
How to Prepare Boiled Mate, Sweet Mate, and Mate with Milk
How to Prepare Boiled Mate, Sweet Mate, and Mate with Milk
Traditional mate too bitter? Three gentler ways to enjoy it: boiled mate cocido, sweet mate, and mate with milk. Read more...
Traditional Yerba Mate vs Canned Yerba Mate: What’s the Difference?
Traditional Yerba Mate vs Canned Yerba Mate: What’s the Difference?
Curious about the difference between traditional yerba mate and canned mate drinks? This guide breaks down flavor, preparation, culture, caffeine, convenience, and why many people eventually move from cans to... Read more...
How to Make Yerba Mate Kombucha at Home
How to Make Yerba Mate Kombucha at Home
A simple step-by-step for brewing yerba mate kombucha at home: what you need, the SCOBY, and how long to ferment for the flavor you want. Read more...
Friends sharing chimarrão from a traditional cuia
Chimarrão: Brazil's Yerba Mate and How to Prepare It
Southern Brazil's take on mate: bright-green erva-mate drunk from a wide cuia. What makes chimarrão different, plus three ways to prepare it, from traditional to a 30-second shortcut. Read more...
What Does Mold Look Like in a Yerba Mate Gourd?
What Does Mold Look Like in a Yerba Mate Gourd?
That dark stain inside your gourd is usually normal curing, not mold. How to tell the difference, clean it safely, and prevent it. Read more...
Yerba Mate vs Matcha: What's the Difference?
Yerba Mate vs Matcha: What's the Difference?
Yerba mate and matcha are both popular alternatives to coffee, but they come from very different traditions. Learn how they compare in flavor, caffeine, preparation, and cultural ritual. Read more...
Yerba mate farms to visit
Yerba Mate Plantations You Can Visit in Argentina
Tour the yerba mate plantations of Misiones and Corrientes, Argentina, along the Ruta de la Yerba Mate. Our picks for the best ones to visit. Read more...
Unwritten Yerba Mate Rules: The Ritual Behind the Drink
Unwritten Yerba Mate Rules: The Ritual Behind the Drink
Yerba mate is more than a drink. It is a shared ritual with unwritten rules, playful warnings, and traditions that keep the circle moving. Learn the etiquette behind the cebador,... Read more...
Yerba Mate Terminology: A Glossary of Mate Words
Yerba Mate Terminology: A Glossary of Mate Words
From cebador to mate lavado, here's a friendly glossary of the yerba mate words you'll hear, grouped so they're easy to find. Read more...
Health benefits of yerba mate
The Health Benefits of Yerba Mate
Can Yerba Mate help you lose weight? How much caffeine is Yerba Mate? Is it safe to drink during pregnancy? Can Yerba Mate cause cancer? Can it help prevent it?... Read more...
Best temperature for yerba mate
What's the Best Water Temperature for Yerba Mate?
Too hot burns the yerba, too cold leaves it weak. The sweet spot is about 149 to 180°F, and here's how to hit it every time. Read more...
A woman handing a yerba mate gourd to a friend
Why You Should Ditch Coffee and Tea for Yerba Mate
Balanced energy without the crash, antioxidants, and a social ritual worth slowing down for. Here's why so many people are trading coffee and tea for yerba mate. Read more...
What Is Organic Yerba Mate?
What Is Organic Yerba Mate?
What 'organic' really means for yerba mate, how it's certified, why people choose it, and a couple of organic options worth trying. Read more...