The Natural Health Market
Direct to Customer · Organic · Handcrafted In-House
Soil Association
Organic Licensed
SALSA Certified
GMP Manufacturing
Plastic-Free Bags
Compostable Plant Starch
Supermarket Recyclable
PE-Lined Resealable Pouch
Herbal Tea

Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags | Brazilian Origin | Unsmoked & Unaged | Plastic-Free | 15–200 Bags

A clean, vibrant energy from the heart of Brazil — our Organic Yerba Mate Tea Bags are made from carefully selected unsmoked, unaged Brazilian yerba mate leaves, certified organic by the Soil Association. Each pyramid bag is made from compostable plant starch with zero plastic, supplied in a resealable PE-lined pouch. Available in four sizes: 15, 50, 100 and 200 bags.

3
Natural Stimulants
24
Vitamins & Minerals
15
Amino Acids
100%
Organic Certified

What Sets Ours Apart

Unsmoked. Unaged. A Genuinely Different Cup.

Traditional yerba mate — particularly from Argentina and Uruguay — is almost always smoked during the drying process and then aged in warehouses for up to twelve months before sale. The smoking imparts a strong, earthy bitterness that many find overpowering, and the ageing process introduces significant microbial activity that alters both the flavour and the nutritional profile of the leaf. For those new to yerba mate, this heavily processed style is often the source of the "acquired taste" reputation the drink has earned.

Our yerba mate is processed differently. The freshly harvested leaves from our certified organic Brazilian plantations are dried using warm air — never fire or smoke — and are not aged before being packed. The result is a naturally green, vibrant leaf that produces a cup which is noticeably cleaner, fresher, and less bitter than smoked varieties. It still has character — a mild grassiness with subtle earthy notes — but it is accessible to most palates immediately, without the steep learning curve of traditional South American mate.

This also matters nutritionally. The polyphenols, antioxidants, and heat-sensitive micronutrients in the yerba mate leaf are better preserved when smoke and prolonged ageing are avoided. Our unsmoked, unaged style delivers the full natural benefit of the leaf in its freshest possible state.

The Science of the Lift

Three Xanthines: Why Yerba Mate Feels Different to Coffee

The stimulating effect of yerba mate comes from three naturally occurring xanthine compounds working in combination — caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. This is the same trio found in cocoa and tea, and it is precisely what distinguishes the yerba mate energy experience from a cup of coffee.

Compound Effect
CaffeineBlocks adenosine receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of tiredness and increasing alertness. Present in moderate amounts — enough to energise without the spike of strong coffee.
TheophyllineA bronchodilator that relaxes smooth muscle tissue and improves airflow — contributing to a feeling of physical openness and ease of breathing during activity. Also found in green tea.
TheobromineA milder, longer-lasting stimulant than caffeine that dilates blood vessels and produces a gentle, sustained elevation in mood and energy. The dominant stimulant in dark chocolate.

Together, these three compounds produce a stimulating effect that most people describe as alert, calm, and focused rather than jittery, wired, or anxious. Unlike coffee, yerba mate does not contain high concentrations of chlorogenic acids and oils that can irritate the stomach or cause acid reflux — making it far gentler on the digestive system. It also rarely interferes with sleep when consumed in reasonable quantities during the day.

A Centuries-Old Tradition

South America's Most Beloved Drink — In a Convenient Tea Bag

Yerba mate has been consumed by the Guaraní people of South America for centuries and is deeply embedded in the social fabric of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. In Argentina alone, roughly 90% of adults drink mate daily — it is a morning ritual that has replaced coffee entirely for most of the population. Mate cafés are as commonplace in Buenos Aires as coffee shops are in London, and sharing a shared gourd of mate with friends and family is a central social gesture.

Traditionally drunk from a hollowed gourd through a metal filter straw called a bombilla, yerba mate is prepared loose and consumed hot. Our pyramid tea bags make this centuries-old tradition immediately accessible — no gourd, no bombilla, no loose leaf preparation required. Just place a bag in a mug, add hot water, and steep. The pyramid shape allows the leaves to move freely inside the bag, giving a full, properly brewed infusion every time.

Naturally Nutrient-Dense

24 Vitamins & Minerals, 15 Amino Acids, Abundant Antioxidants

Grown in the shade at altitude — the natural growing conditions of the South American rainforest understorey — the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis develop a notably dense micronutrient profile in response to the light-limited environment. Unlike many herbal teas that offer little beyond flavour, yerba mate delivers a genuinely meaningful nutritional contribution per cup. The key naturally occurring nutrients include:

Nutrient Category Includes
VitaminsB1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic acid), C, and E
MineralsCalcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Zinc
AntioxidantsPolyphenols, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, rutin — among the highest antioxidant levels of any commonly consumed beverage
Amino Acids15 amino acids including alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, glycine, and lysine — the building blocks of protein and enzyme function
XanthinesCaffeine, theophylline, and theobromine — the natural triple-stimulant combination unique to mate

This breadth of naturally occurring nutrients is one of the reasons yerba mate has been used as a functional food — not merely a stimulant — for so long. Our unsmoked processing preserves the full spectrum of these compounds far more effectively than fire-dried alternatives.

Key Features
100% Certified Organic — Soil Association Licensed (DA25511) Unsmoked & unaged — fresher, cleaner taste than traditional varieties
Brazilian origin — organic certified at source Three natural stimulants: caffeine, theophylline & theobromine
Plastic-free pyramid bags — compostable plant starch, no heat-sealant Resealable PE-lined pouch — recyclable at supermarket soft plastic collection points
No jitters, no crash — gentle on the stomach, rarely disrupts sleep Available in 15, 50, 100 and 200 bag packs

Packaging note: The tea bags themselves are plastic-free compostable plant starch. The outer pouch is PE-lined and resealable — not plastic-free. Currently recyclable at supermarket soft plastic collection points (available at most major UK supermarkets). Kerbside collection of flexible plastics is expected from 2027. We would rather be honest about this than overclaim.

Serving Suggestion

Place one pyramid bag in a mug and pour over freshly boiled water that has been allowed to rest for 30–60 seconds (around 85–90°C — just off the boil). Steep for 4–6 minutes depending on your preferred strength. Remove the bag and enjoy as is, or add a squeeze of lemon or a little honey if you prefer a lighter, more rounded flavour.

For a stronger brew: Use two bags, or steep for up to 8 minutes. The unsmoked leaves will not become astringent or excessively bitter with longer steeping — one of the advantages of our unaged variety.

Iced mate: Brew double strength, allow to cool, then pour over ice with a slice of citrus for a refreshing cold drink.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong odours. Keep the pack sealed between uses to preserve freshness and aroma.

Nutrition Information

Typical values per 100ml prepared tea / per 200ml cup (as brewed)

Nutrient Per 100ml Per 200ml Cup
Energy4 kJ / 1 kcal8 kJ / 2 kcal
Fat0g0g
of which saturates0g0g
Carbohydrate<0.1g<0.1g
of which sugars<0.1g<0.1g
Fibre0g0g
Protein<0.1g<0.1g
Salt<0.01g<0.01g

Values given for the prepared drink as brewed. The dry leaf or root remains in the bag and is not consumed. Brewed herbal tea is essentially water with trace dissolved compounds and contributes negligible calories, fat, carbohydrate, or protein to the diet. *RI = Reference Intake for an average adult (8400 kJ / 2000 kcal)

Ingredients

100% Organic Yerba Mate Leaf — Unsmoked & Unaged (Ilex paraguariensis). Brazilian Origin.
Pyramid bags: compostable plant starch (no plastic). Outer pouch: PE-lined, resealable — recyclable at supermarket soft plastic collection points.

Delivery & Returns
Same Day Dispatch
Orders placed before 2pm on working days
Free UK Delivery
Tracked · 1-3 working days
Easy Returns
30-day hassle-free return policy
About The Natural Health Market

We're a small family business with a genuine passion for natural health and wellbeing. Every product we sell is made and packed in-house by our family team — we never outsource. Our philosophy is straightforward: live well, ethically, and to the full.

We are proudly licensed by the Soil Association (Licence No. DA25511) and certified to SALSA GMP standards, ensuring every product meets the highest benchmarks of quality, safety, and transparency. Many of our products are certified organic — all are made with complete integrity and packaged as responsibly as possible.

Soil Association
Organic · Licence DA25511
SALSA GMP
Certified Manufacturer
Made In-House
Never Outsourced

What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like?

Our unsmoked, unaged yerba mate has a naturally fresh, grassy character with mild earthy undertones — significantly cleaner and less bitter than traditional smoked Argentine or Uruguayan varieties. It is closer in profile to a good green tea than to a strong black tea, with a pleasant vegetal depth and a very subtle sweetness on the finish. Most people find it immediately approachable rather than an acquired taste.

How Much Caffeine Is in Yerba Mate?

A typical brewed cup of yerba mate contains approximately 65–130mg of caffeine depending on the leaf quantity, steeping time, and water temperature — broadly comparable to a moderate cup of coffee, and somewhat higher than most teas. However, because the caffeine in yerba mate is accompanied by theophylline and theobromine, the effect is typically described as more sustained and less intense than the sharp spike of coffee. Most people find it keeps them focused and alert without causing anxiety or a subsequent energy crash.

What Is the Difference Between Smoked and Unsmoked Yerba Mate?

Traditional South American yerba mate is dried over wood fires, which imparts a distinctive smoky, sometimes harsh flavour and introduces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the leaf — the same compounds found in smoked or barbecued foods. Unsmoked mate (often called "green mate" or "air-dried mate") avoids this process entirely, producing a cleaner, fresher cup with a more natural flavour. From a nutritional perspective, air-drying is also gentler on the heat-sensitive polyphenols and vitamins in the leaf, helping to preserve more of the naturally occurring antioxidant content.

Can I Drink Yerba Mate Every Day?

Yes — in South America, daily consumption of several cups of yerba mate is entirely normal and has been for generations. As with all caffeinated beverages, individual tolerance varies, and those who are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication should consult their healthcare provider. Consumed in reasonable quantities as part of a balanced lifestyle, yerba mate is a well-tolerated and nutritionally interesting daily drink.

The Natural Health Market
Soil Association Licence DA25511 · SALSA GMP Certified · Est. 2011