Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags

Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags — Unsmoked & Naturally Caffeinated

Our organic yerba mate tea bags are made from a single ingredient: unsmoked, unaged Ilex paraguariensis leaf, sourced from South America — primarily Paraguay, sometimes Brazil. Soil Association certified and naturally caffeinated, they produce a full-bodied, grassy brew that has been the everyday drink of choice across South America for centuries. Every pack is made in-house by our small family team in Leicestershire, and comes in a fully kerbside-recyclable 100% paper pouch.

Which size is right for you?

Available in four sizes — from a 15-temple taster to a 200-temple bulk pack for committed daily drinkers.

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 morning drink of choice across Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil — and why it has gained a following as a coffee alternative in the UK. Traditionally sipped from a hollowed gourd through a metal straw called a bombilla, its character translates well to a tea bag format: grassy and earthy on the nose, pleasantly bitter in the cup, with a smooth, rounded body that softens as the brew cools.

Why unsmoked matters

The vast majority of yerba mate on the market is smoke-dried. This industrial process — passing freshly harvested leaves through wood smoke to halt enzymatic activity — can introduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) into the finished leaf. It is the source of most widely reported health concerns about yerba mate as a category.

Our yerba mate is unsmoked and unaged. The leaves are dried without any exposure to smoke, producing a cleaner, greener flavour — less toasty, less tobacco-adjacent — and removing 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 it.

Why choose ours?

• Unsmoked and unaged — dried without smoke for a cleaner leaf. Not the norm in the category, and important if you have been put off yerba mate by health concerns about the smoking process.
• 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 of any kind.
• Made in Leicestershire — our small family team bags every pack in-house, in small batches. Not outsourced.
• Plastic-free packaging — our temples use biodegradable PLA mesh (general waste) inside a 100% paper pouch that is fully kerbside recyclable.
• South American origin — sourced from Paraguay and Brazil, the heartland of mate culture.

How to brew

Place one temple in a mug and pour over freshly boiled water (100°C). Steep for 3–5 minutes — shorter for a lighter, less bitter cup, longer for full intensity. Remove the temple and drink as is, or add a little honey if you prefer a touch of sweetness. The temple can be resteeped once for a lighter second cup. Milk is not traditional, but works well with a longer brew.

Ingredients

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

Frequently asked questions

Is yerba mate caffeine-free?

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

Is yerba mate bad for you?

The health concerns most commonly associated with yerba mate relate to the traditional 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 foods and tobacco smoke. Our yerba mate is unsmoked and unaged, which removes this specific concern. As with any caffeinated drink, moderate consumption is sensible. If you have health questions specific to your circumstances, speak to your GP.

What does yerba mate taste like?

Grassy, earthy, and pleasantly bitter — similar in character to a bold green tea, but with more body. Unsmoked yerba mate has a noticeably cleaner, greener flavour than smoked varieties: less tobacco, more fresh leaf. The bitterness softens with shorter steeping times and rounds nicely with a little honey.

How much caffeine is in yerba mate?

Yerba mate typically contains around 30–80mg of caffeine per 200ml serving, depending on steeping time and water temperature — broadly comparable to a cup of green tea and somewhat less than a standard espresso. If you are managing your caffeine intake, treat it similarly to green tea.

Are the tea bag temples plastic-free?

Yes. Our temples use PLA mesh — a plant-derived, plastic-free material that is biodegradable and can go in your general waste bin. The outer pouch is 100% paper and fully kerbside recyclable.

Where is this tea made?

The yerba mate leaf is sourced from South America — primarily Paraguay, sometimes Brazil, depending on harvest. Every pack is bagged and sealed in-house by our small family team in Leicestershire. We do not outsource production.

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

The leaf inside is the same: certified organic, unsmoked Ilex paraguariensis. The tea bags are the more convenient option — one temple per cup, no equipment needed. The loose leaf offers better value per gram for regular drinkers, and suits those who prefer a traditional bombilla or a strainer. See our Organic Yerba Mate Loose Leaf Tea.

How should I store yerba mate tea bags?

Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong aromas. Once opened, fold the pouch closed or decant into an airtight tin. Properly stored, the tea will hold its character for at least 18 months from the date of production.

Also in our yerba mate range

Prefer to brew loose? Our Organic Yerba Mate Loose Leaf Tea is available in 25g, 50g, 100g, and 200g — the same unsmoked, Soil Association certified leaf, better value per gram for daily drinkers.

Organic. Unsmoked. Made in Britain.

Yerba mate has sustained mornings across South America for centuries — we make it straightforward to enjoy at home, from a source you can trust. Certified organic, unsmoked, and packed by hand in small batches in Leicestershire. Nothing added, nothing compromised.