If you are anything like us, coffee is probably what fuels you all day, every single day. While it can be a tasty treat (cappuccino, anyone?), it can also come with some side effects. From causing an upset stomach to sleeplessness, having too much caffeine can be hard on many people. That is why people are always looking for a great alternative. So, what about yerba mate tea? Looking at yerba mate vs coffee, what is the difference? Which is better for you?
So, thirsty readers, here is everything that you need to know about yerba mate vs coffee.
What Is Yerba Mate?
First things first, while you may have heard of yerba mate before, many people outside of South America don’t know exactly what yerba mate is. From the leaves of a mate tree that grows natively only in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, this incredible stuff is taking over the world.
From the rainforests of South America, people love this tasty tea across the continent so much that it is actually the national drink of every single country where it grows! A simple beverage, this drink is just the leaves of the yerba mate plant ground up and infused with boiling hot water.
Why Do People Drink Yerba Mate?
In South America, this good stuff is known as the “drink of the gods” by everyone around the continent. In South America, Yerba Mate has been revered for centuries. People still drink it daily for mental clarity, health, and energy. This antioxidant-rich drink (this stuff is reported to have more antioxidants than green tea!) has an incredible 24 different types of vitamins and minerals, along with 15 amino acids. When it comes to the yerba mate vs coffee debate, you won’t get a fraction of the benefits from the rich black stuff!
This stuff is so healthy, in fact, that the Pasteur Institute and Paris Scientific society said way back in 1964 that, “it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value and… has practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.”
Yerba Mate vs Coffee
When it comes to caffeine content, there’s a big difference in yerba mate vs coffee. In yerba mate leaf tea, you will get around 30 milligrams of caffeine per cup of tea. Meanwhile, a cup of coffee has an incredible 100 milligrams in a cup of coffee. If you are worried about caffeine levels or you are just looking for a tasty drink for evenings when you don’t want a jolt of energy before bed, this is a great pick!
For reference, most black teas have around 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup. So, even compared with your average tea, yerba mate tea drinks are a great option!
Another thing to consider is acidity level. If you are drinking a hot beverage on an empty stomach first thing in the morning (and how many of us are guilty of doing that?), yerba mate vs coffee is an important thing to consider. When you drink coffee on an empty stomach, the acidic residue can cause irritation and diarrhoea. Yerba mate, on the other hand, has an alkaline base that will actually work against the acidity in your stomach. If you are looking for the perfect morning or night time beverage, yerba mate tea can be a great option!
So, ladies and gentleman, yerba mate vs coffee? Why not both! We love ECOTEAS Organic Unsmoked Yerba Mate Tea for first thing in the morning! This pure loose leaf tea tastes amazing and is gentle on the stomach. When you do go for coffee, go bold! We love Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans for a mid-morning perk up. This high-quality gourmet coffee is a tasty fresh perk.