Organic Yerba Mate Tea - Loose Leaf

Organic Yerba Mate Loose Leaf Tea — Unsmoked & Naturally Caffeinated

Our organic yerba mate loose leaf is a single-ingredient infusion of unsmoked, unaged Ilex paraguariensis leaf, sourced from South America — primarily Paraguay, sometimes Brazil. Soil Association certified and naturally caffeinated, it is one of the most characterful brews in our range: grassy, earthy, and full-bodied, with a clean, pleasantly bitter finish. Packed in-house in Leicestershire by our small family team. Available in four sizes from 25g to 200g.

Which size is right for you?

A 2g serving brews one generous cup. Use the table below to find the right size for how often you drink it.

What makes yerba mate different from other herbal teas?

Most herbal teas are caffeine-free. Yerba mate is not. It contains natural caffeine, which is why it has long been the daily drink of choice across Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil — and why it has found an audience as a coffee alternative among those who want a gentler, more sustained lift. Traditionally drunk from a gourd through a metal filter straw called a bombilla, it translates beautifully to a loose leaf format: brew it in a teapot, strainer mug, or French press, and the character comes through in full — green and grassy, clean and slightly bitter, with a body that holds up well to multiple infusions.

Why unsmoked matters

Most commercial yerba mate is smoke-dried — a process that halts enzymatic activity in the freshly harvested leaf but can also introduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the finished product. It is the source of most widely reported health concerns about yerba mate as a category.

Our yerba mate is unsmoked and unaged. No smoke at any stage of drying. The result is a cleaner, greener flavour — less toasty, less tobacco-adjacent — and the removal of the specific production step that has attracted the most scrutiny. If you have searched for yerba mate sin humo — the Spanish term for "without smoke" — this is what you are looking for.

Ways to brew it

• Teapot or infuser — 1–2 heaped teaspoons per 200ml, freshly boiled water, steep 3–5 minutes and pour.
• French press — 1–2 heaped teaspoons per 250ml, steep 4 minutes, press gently and pour. Good control over strength.
• Strainer mug — add loose leaf to the mug insert, steep and remove. Simple and quick.
• Traditional gourd (mate) — fill halfway with loose leaf, add a small amount of cold water first to protect the leaf, then pour near-boiling water to just below the rim. Drink through a bombilla and refill several times.
• Cold brew — 2 heaped teaspoons per 500ml cold water, steep overnight in the fridge. Smooth, clean, and easy on the bitterness.

For a standard cup, water at 85–100°C works well — cooler water gives a gentler, less bitter result. The leaf can be resteeped once for a lighter second brew.

Why choose ours?

• Unsmoked and unaged — dried without smoke for a cleaner leaf and cleaner production. Not how most commercial yerba mate is made.
• Soil Association certified organic — independently verified to organic standards at every stage, from field to finished pack.
• Single ingredient, nothing added — just yerba mate leaf. No blending agents, no flavourings, no fillers.
• Packed in Leicestershire — by our small family team, in small batches, in-house. Not outsourced.
• South American origin — sourced from Paraguay and Brazil, where yerba mate has been cultivated for centuries.
• Better value per gram — loose leaf gives more flexibility and more cups per pound spent than the tea bag format, making it the natural choice for daily drinkers.

Ingredients

Organic yerba mate leaf (Ilex paraguariensis). Certified organic by the Soil Association.

Packaging

Supplied in a resealable kraft pouch, recyclable via supermarket soft-plastic collection points. Roll and seal between uses to keep the leaf fresh.

Frequently asked questions

Is yerba mate loose leaf caffeine-free?

No — yerba mate contains natural caffeine, which is why it has traditionally been drunk as a morning brew and coffee alternative. If you are sensitive to caffeine or are pregnant, we recommend speaking to your GP before drinking it regularly.

Is yerba mate bad for you?

The concerns most commonly associated with yerba mate relate to the smoke-drying process used by many commercial producers. Drying the leaves over wood smoke can introduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — compounds also associated with smoked meats and tobacco smoke. Our yerba mate is unsmoked and unaged, which removes this specific production concern. As with any caffeinated drink, moderate consumption is sensible. If you have health-specific questions, consult your GP.

What does yerba mate loose leaf taste like?

Grassy, earthy, and pleasantly bitter — similar in character to a bold green tea but with more body and depth. Unsmoked yerba mate has a notably cleaner, greener flavour than smoked varieties: less tobacco, more fresh leaf. The bitterness softens with cooler water or shorter steeping, and rounds nicely with a little honey if you prefer a sweeter cup.

How much caffeine is in yerba mate?

Typically around 30–80mg per 200ml serving, depending on steeping time, quantity used, and water temperature — broadly comparable to a cup of green tea. If you are managing your caffeine intake, treat it similarly to a moderate green tea.

What is the difference between the loose leaf and the tea bags?

Both use the same certified organic, unsmoked yerba mate leaf. The loose leaf is better value per gram and gives you flexibility over serving size and strength. The tea bags are the more convenient format — one temple per cup, no equipment needed. See our Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags in 15, 50, 100, and 200 temple packs.

How do I brew yerba mate without a special strainer?

A French press works very well and most households already own one. Add 1–2 heaped teaspoons per 250ml, steep for 4 minutes, then press and pour. A standard tea strainer over a mug works just as well for a single cup.

Where does this yerba mate come from?

Sourced from South America — primarily Paraguay, sometimes Brazil, depending on harvest. All packing is done in-house at our facility in Leicestershire, UK.

How should I store the loose leaf?

Reseal the pouch after each use and store in a cool, dry place away from direct light and strong aromas. For long-term storage, decant into an airtight tin. The leaf will hold its character for at least 18 months from the date of production.

Also in our yerba mate range

Prefer the convenience of a bag? Our Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags come in 15, 50, 100, and 200 temple packs — the same unsmoked, Soil Association certified leaf, in a biodegradable PLA temple with a kerbside-recyclable paper pouch.

Organic. Unsmoked. Packed in Britain.

A drink that has sustained mornings across South America for centuries — now made accessible, responsibly sourced, and packed by hand in Leicestershire. Certified organic, unsmoked, and nothing added. The real thing.