What's the difference between yerba mate vs matcha? These two drinks are often compared to each other, and in this article we’re going to see what makes them different.
We’ll conduct a comparison between matcha tea vs yerba mate when it comes to flavor, production, health benefits and more.
Let’s get started! 🧉🍵
A Brief Overview of Yerba Mate vs Matcha
Before we compare yerba mate vs matcha, we should do a brief summary of each.
What is Matcha?
Matcha powder is essentially a powdered green tea, but it has to be made from special tea leaves. It is famous for its use in the Japanese tea ceremony, where it is mixed into warm water using a bamboo whisk or chasen. A similarity between yerba mate vs matcha is they're both high in caffeine, amino acids and antioxidants.
Instead of comparing yerba mate vs matcha, you can just take a deep dive into matcha here 👉 What is Matcha? The one and only Matcha-Encyclopedia
What is Yerba Mate?
What's the difference between yerba mate vs green tea? Yerba mate is not technically a tea but rather an herbal infusion that is mostly consumed in South America. It is made from the ilex Paraguariensis plant which is rich in caffeine and minerals. It is typically consumed in a gourd with a metal straw or bombilla, which presents another difference between yerba mate vs matcha.
The Production of Yerba Mate vs Matcha
To understand the differences between mate vs matcha, it’s helpful to understand how each of them are produced. Let’s take a look at the production of matcha tea vs yerba mate to see the differences and similarities of each.
If you want to take a deep dive into the production of matcha tea, you may want to check out this guide here 👉 How is Matcha Made?
Matcha Tea vs Yerba Mate Flavor
The flavor is one of the biggest differences between yerba mate vs matcha. A high quality matcha is designed to have a smooth, vegetal flavor profile while yerba mate tends to be more robust.
Yerba Matcha Flavor
One similarity between yerba mate vs green tea is that mate can be roasted or unroasted. The roasted yerba mate has an intense, almost smoky flavor profile and the green mate is more earthy and slightly astringent.
Another similarity between mate vs matcha is that both flavors are considered to be an acquired taste, but they are extremely different.
Matcha Flavor
Most good ceremonial matcha will have a smooth, milky mouthfeel to it with notes of steamed vegetables. Some matcha teas will have a hint of these more flowery notes, and some will even take on a hint of white chocolate or tofu. This leads to a big difference in matcha vs yerba mate flavor.
To do an accurate comparison between yerba mate vs matcha, you'll need to learn more about the flavor of matcha here 👉 What does matcha taste like? Taste Chart with Video
Yerba Mate vs Matcha Caffeine
Matcha Caffeine Content
One teaspoon of high quality, ceremonial matcha contains 68mg of caffeine. If you use 2 teaspoons you already have more caffeine than many cups of coffee.
Matcha contains l-theanine which balances out a lot of the negative effects of caffeine, which is why tea drinkers report having a longer lasting calm alert sensation throughout the day.
Yerba Mate Caffeine Content
The caffeine levels of matcha vs yerba mate are similar. An 8-ounce cup of yerba mate typically contains around 70mg of caffeine, making the caffeine of yerba mate vs green tea very similar.
In addition to comparing the caffeine of mate vs matcha, we've also compared yerba mate vs green tea of all different types here 👉 Which tea has the most caffeine
Mate vs Matcha Preparation
Matcha Preparation
Because matcha comes in a powdered form, it can be mixed directly into water with a bamboo whisk or chasen to create a nice foam on top.
If you want to make expert level matcha teas, we recommend you read this guide 👉 How to Make the Best Matcha
Yerba Mate Preparation
When you compare the preparation of yerba mate vs matcha, there are more similarities between yerba mate vs green tea, the only difference is the strainer is actually on the metal straw (bombilla) itself instead of in a teapot.
Yerba Mate vs Matcha Health Benefits
A similarity between matcha vs yerba mate is that they are both considered to be nutritional powerhouses, but which one is better? Let’s compare the health benefits of matcha tea vs yerba mate to how they measure up.
Yerba Mate Health Benefits
Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, yerba mate supports immune health, aiding the body's defense against oxidative stress.
The high caffeine content of yerba mate contributes to enhanced alertness and focus, coupled with theobromine and theophylline that foster a calm energy boost.
Matcha Health Benefits
When you drink matcha you consume the whole tea leaf, which can provide a potent source of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll. This can help protect the body against oxidative stress and support a healthy immune system.
If you want to find a complete list of health benefits when it comes to matcha tea, so you can truly compare matcha vs yerba mate, you should read this article 👉 What do Scientists say about Matcha Benefits? Find Out Here
Yerba Mate vs Matcha the Final Verdict
After conducting a thorough comparison of yerba mate vs matcha, it’s fair to say that both of these teas offer a unique flavor and potent health benefits, so there is no need to say one is better than the other!
If you enjoyed this article about matcha vs yerba mate, we strongly advice you to make sure to read 👉 Chai vs Matcha: Teatime Turf War is Heating Up
