I have been hearing a lot about Yerba Mate, so I thought I’d give it a try. I saw it at Trader Joe’s and picked up a bag. I am an avid tea drinker, and the things I had read said it tasted like an earthy tea.
My first reaction to this drink was “Eww.. I don’t think I can finish a cup…” I usually do not sweeten my tea and prefer bitter drinks, but this tasted a bit too earthy for me. I added some Agave Nectar, and it was palatable. The next day I gave it another shot. It was ok. I have had 1-2 cups every day since and really enjoy it now! I think it definately is an aquired taste.
Why did I stick with it and not give up after the first cup? The sustained energy! One of the great things about Yerba Mate (one of the six natural sources of caffeine) is that it is jitter-free, and lasts longer than the others. I read this claim, and it is true, at least for me. I find it doesn’t give me a caffeine rush and I feel steady for several hours after drinking a cup.
Another great earth friendly reason to drink Yerba Mate is that it is carbon negative. This means that it takes more carbon out of the atmosphere to grow in the rainforest than is created during picking, packing, and shipping to various parts of the world. Sounds kind of odd, but according to Guayaki, it is true. They even offer a chart on their website showing carbon emissions.
Guayaki makes several blends of Yerba Mate to help offset the earthly flavor of the straight variety, including Chocolate, Chai, Orange Blossom, and Mint which don’t require sweetening. I am looking forward to trying them!
