Matcha vs. Yerba Mate
Comparing Matcha with Yerba Mate
Yerba mate, or "mate" if you're trendy, is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is very popular due to its fresh taste and numerous health benefits. It has also been shown to support weight loss and boost energy.
If this sounds familiar, itβs because it is. Our beloved matcha is also a tea that is very popular for its numerous health benefits, sustained energy, and its ability to help with weight loss. On the surface, yerba mate and matcha might seem interchangeable, but upon closer inspection, you will notice some key differences. To save you some time, we have put together a brief overview for you. In our opinion, there is more than enough room for both delicious drinks in your life, but naturally, we couldn't blame you if you ultimately had no choice but to declare matcha the winner.
May the battle of the beverages begin:
The Origin - The History
A long, long time ago, in 1191, matcha was developed by Japanese monks as a ceremonial tea. The ritual of preparing and consuming matcha has been passed down through the years, with each generation honoring the practice created by that one monk. He could not have known that centuries later we would still be participating in his creation. And even if we don't always enjoy it the way he did (shout-out to matcha donuts), the health benefits and fresh taste of matcha will never fall victim to time.
On the other side of the world, in the temperate climate of South America, the ancient Guarani tribes were mixing their own brew. Yerba mate is a tea made from the leaves and twigs of the native plant, the mate shrub Ilex paraguariensis. Originally a cultural symbol of the Guarani, it was soon discovered by Jesuit priests who brought it to the rest of the world.
Taste & Texture - The Experience
As you may know, matcha is an extremely potent variety of green tea that is processed into a vibrant green powder by stone-grinding specially cultivated green tea leaves. The leaves are de-veined and de-stemmed, making the matcha powder fine and smooth.
The taste of matcha is naturally sweet with a slightly earthy undertone and a tiny hint of bitterness. Basically, matcha tastes very similar to a strong green tea, only with less bitterness and more aroma. It goes well with almost all flavor profiles, and matcha is not only the perfect addition to many drinks but is also excellent for preparing food. If you want to be inspired by matcha, visit our recipe page. Matcha is only limited by your imagination.
Yerba mate is made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree. These leaves are harvested in the forest and then dried to prepare them for consumption. Unlike matcha powder, yerba mate can only be prepared by steeping in water.
Furthermore, unlike matcha, yerba mate has an "acquired taste." Similar to a grapefruit, mate has an extremely high tannin content, which gives it a distinctly bitter flavor. It is also "woodier" than matcha because the leaf veins and stems are not removed. For this reason, you most often find yerba mate in ready-to-drink beverages with sugar and added flavorings.
Preparation - The Process
As we have already mentioned, matcha is extremely versatile and can be prepared in numerous different ways. But if you want to experience matcha the way the monks did centuries ago, you can. A traditional matcha preparation includes a mindful meditation during which you whisk the matcha powder into hot water.
Traditionally, matcha is mixed with a bamboo whisk, but at MatchaLand, we prefer the modern (faster and more hygienic) method using an electric mixer.
Mate, on the other hand, is prepared just like most teas. You simply let the dried tea steep in a cup of hot water. Traditionally, it is served in a hollowed-out gourd with a metal straw called a bombilla. Nowadays, however, people usually drink pre-made mate from bright yellow cans. We would not recommend adding yerba mate to food.
Nutritional Information - The Facts
One of the reasons for the ever-growing popularity of matcha is its incredible nutrient density. Unlike teas that you have to steep, you get 100% of the nutrient capacity every time you consume matchaβwhich means about 10 times as many antioxidants as "regular" green tea steeped in tea bags.
Furthermore, you will find caffeine, L-theanine, and chlorophyll. If you would like to learn more about matcha and its health benefits, check out our blog here.
Similarly, yerba mate is rich in amino acids, antioxidants (though not as many as matcha), and also caffeine, theophylline, and theobromineβall well-known stimulants contained in coffee and tea. And although it doesn't have the potentially cancer-fighting properties of matcha, it can help with weight loss.
Caffeine - The Energy Stats
A serving of matcha (2g) contains about 80 mg of caffeine. Compared to coffee, that isn't much, but matcha has a secret weapon: the amino acid L-theanine. It works in tandem with the caffeine and slows its entry into the bloodstream. So, when you drink matcha, you experience a long, sustained energy boost instead of a quick spike. This powerful amino acid also eliminates the jitters that sometimes accompany coffee and can promote a calm, focused mind.
Yerba mate has a similar amount of caffeine per cup. This is also less than coffee, but unlike matcha, mate does not contain L-theanine and therefore does not provide a long-term energy source. So, less energy than coffee, without the long-lasting benefits of matcha...
As you can see, matcha and yerba mate are very similar. Both are teas with a long history of health benefits backed by modern science, and both are a healthy alternative to coffee.
And the winner is... MATCHA!
Matcha is more versatile to consume and does not require sugar or sweetener to be palatable. Furthermore, it has a higher content of antioxidants and L-theanine and simply tastes really good, which makes it our winner.
Although matcha still holds the upper hand in the battle of the drinks, yerba mate is still an excellent beverage. It just isn't as good as matcha.
