Types of Yerba Mate at Yerbador: A Guide to Flavours and Properties

Yerba mate is a drink with an incredibly rich tradition and diversity that can be explored for years. Depending on the country of origin, drying method, and additives, the infusion can taste completely different – from intensely smoky to fresh and mild. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to both the most popular types of yerba mate and Yerbador’s offering, where top-quality Brazilian yerba mate reigns supreme, available in classic, flavoured and tea varieties. Which variant will be best for you?

Yerba Mate – types and regional differences

Although in Poland yerba mate is seen as a single category of drink, in reality there are many varieties, depending on the country and the tradition of processing the leaves of the Paraguayan holly. It’s worth getting to know the basic types of yerba mate, as each one offers a different taste experience and different properties.

Argentinian Yerba Mate

Argentinian yerba mate is the most common variety in the world. It features relatively large leaves and a smaller amount of dust. Its taste is moderate – balanced, slightly bitter, but not overly intense.

Paraguayan Yerba Mate

Paraguayan yerba stands out for its short aging time and high dust content, which gives it a distinctive, strong flavor and a fast stimulating effect. It was in Paraguay that the tradition of drinking cold yerba – tereré, an infusion prepared with ice-cold water or juice – was born. For those who love intense, tart notes, this is the perfect choice.

Fun fact

In Paraguay, temperatures can reach as high as 40°C, which is why locals mostly drink yerba as tereré – that is, cold.

Brazilian Yerba Mate

Brazilian yerba mate is a real gem for lovers of freshness. It stands out with its vividly green leaves and a milder, more herbal flavor – often compared to green tea. Brazilians produce two main types:

• chimarrão – a very finely ground blend, creating a thick, creamy infusion,
• and the sin humo varieties – dried with hot air, without contact with smoke, which allows them to retain an exceptionally mild aroma and a high antioxidant content.

This is exactly the variant you’ll find in Yerbador’s offer – a perfect choice both for beginners and experienced mate drinkers.

Fun fact

Brazilian yerba mate is often called the “green coffee of the south”. Thanks to the hot-air drying method, it has an exceptionally mild flavor and contains more antioxidants than, for example, green tea.

Uruguayan Yerba Mate

Although Uruguayan yerba is produced mainly in Brazil, it is intended for the Uruguayan market. These are very finely ground blends, containing a lot of dust. Their taste is intense and long-lasting, which allows them to be brewed multiple times. They perfectly fit the Uruguayan tradition of drinking yerba practically all day long, with the characteristic thermos tucked under the arm.

Did you know that…

…experienced mate drinkers can recognize the origin of yerba mate by taste alone. Argentinian is considered the most “universal”, Paraguayan the most distinctive, and Brazilian the freshest and greenest in aroma.

Types of yerba mate at Yerbador

Although the world of yerba is wide and diverse, at Yerbador we focus on the best – that is, Brazilian yerba dried with hot air. It is thanks to this process that our products stand out for their freshness, high antioxidant content, and mild flavor. We offer three main categories that meet the different needs of mate drinkers.

Classic yerba mate

For traditionalists, we’ve prepared classic yerba mate. This is pure dried holly leaves, with no flavor additives. It’s characterized by a fresh aroma, a slightly herbal taste, and a clear stimulating effect. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for an authentic yerba experience in its purest form.

Flavoured yerba mate

For those who want to vary their daily ritual, we created flavored yerba mate. Natural ingredients – fruits, herbs and aromas – are added to the classic base, giving the infusion freshness, lightness or a delicate sweetness. It’s a great option for beginners who are wary of intense bitterness, as well as for those who like to experiment with flavor.

Yerba mate tea

A unique product in Yerbador’s range is yerba mate with tea, a combination of Brazilian yerba with classic tea leaves. This blend combines the energizing power of mate with the delicate flavor of tea. It’s a perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the health benefits of yerba but prefer milder flavor notes.

Why choose Yerbador?

At Yerbador you’ll only find Brazilian Yerba Mate, because it best reflects the harmony between rich health properties and exceptional taste. Yerbador products come from natural plantations in southern Brazil, where favorable climatic conditions and cultivation tradition guarantee the highest quality leaves. Whether you choose the classic, flavored or tea version, you can be sure you’re getting a product created with attention to every detail.

How to properly prepare yerba mate?

Properly preparing Yerba Mate is an art that allows you to fully appreciate its flavor and properties. First, about ⅓–½ of the vessel’s volume is filled with dried leaves. Then you need to tilt the matero at a 45° angle so the leaves form a characteristic mound.

It’s into the empty space at its base that the bombilla, a metal straw with a filter, is inserted. The next step is to pour a small amount of lukewarm water (the so-called “dummy water”) over the dried leaves, which allows them to swell and prevents the filter from clogging.

Only after a moment can you pour water at a temperature of 70–80°C, remembering to do it slowly and always into the spot by the bombilla, not onto the very top of the mound. Thanks to this technique, the yerba retains its flavor through many refills, and the infusion becomes aromatic, intense and pleasant to drink.

Summary

The world of Yerba Mate is a fascinating journey through different countries, flavors and traditions – from intense Paraguayan yerba mate, through moderate Argentinian, to fresh and mild Brazilian yerba mate. Yerbador has chosen the latter, offering it in three versions: classic, flavored and with tea. This means everyone – both beginners and experienced mate lovers – will find something for themselves. If you want to discover how diverse and full of energy yerba can be, check out Yerbador’s offer!