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Yerba Mate vs Matcha Tea: What is the difference?

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Yerba Mate Vs Matcha Tea: Know the Difference Today

Yerba mate and matcha tea are two of the most popular and healthiest beverages nowadays. They are both known for their excellent health benefits and are beloved by many health aficionados worldwide. These two healthy drinks are packed with different healthy components like antioxidants and caffeine that are sure to help the body in many ways.

There is no doubt that yerba mate and matcha tea are taking the health community by storm. However, despite the fad and recognition, many people are still confused about the differences between the two.

If you are currently having confusion and wonder about the differences between yerba mate and matcha tea, then you are definitely on the right post. Keep reading as we compare and discuss these two natural drinks in more detail

Table of Contents

Yerba Mate vs Matcha Tea

Origin and History

Yerba mate or simply called mate traces its history back to South America. It was traditionally prepared and consumed by the Guarani people also known as Paraguay’s indigenous people. According to Guarani’s culture and tradition, mate is a divine gift and is traditionally served during rituals and worship. In the mid 17th century, Jesuit priests discovered yerba mate and made it more popular. Today, the popularity of yerba mate continues to grow due to its medicinal value.

Matcha tea, on the other hand, originated in Asia. In modern times, matcha tea is often associated with the country Japan. But according to history, matcha came from China and not Japan. Nevertheless, Japan remains to be one of the biggest producers of matcha tea. This natural beverage is traditionally used for tea ceremonies. At present, matcha tea has become one of the most sought-after healthy drinks and is also used as an ingredient for other products.

Production and Form

yerba mate

Yerba mate came from the Ilex paraguariensis. simply known as the yerba mate plant. It is native to the tropical rainforests found in Brazil and Paraguay.

The production of mate starts by drying and toasting the yerba mate plant’s leaves and twigs. After drying, they undergo a grinding procedure and are stored in chambers for 9 months to 2 years to develop more flavor. Finally, they will be grounded again into much smaller pieces for easier steeping and packaging. All in all, the yerba mate’s production may take 2 years and more depending on the yerba mate’s quality and flavor.

Just like mate, it also takes a long time to produce high-quality matcha tea. In fact, it can take three and five years just to prepare the ideal growing soil and grow tea trees that produce top-notch matcha leaves.

The matcha tea is derived from the plant camellia sinensis also called the tea plant. This plant is native to Southeast Asia and is also used for producing green tea. Many people often interchange matcha tea and green tea but take note that these two are different from each other despite coming from the same plant.

Matcha Tea Preparation

The tea plants used for matcha tea are covered about a month before harvest to protect them from direct sunlight. This stimulates the leaves to produce more chlorophyll. The high chlorophyll content of the tea plant creates the darker green color of matcha tea. Contrastingly, the tea plants for green tea did not grow under the shade resulting in a light yellow color of the said drink when brewed.

After a month of staying under the shade, the tea plants for matcha will be ready for harvest, Tea farmers only select the greenest part of the tea plant which are the two leaves at the end of the young branches. After harvesting, the leaves go through a steaming process to preserve their rich green color and nutrients. Steaming also stops the leaves’ enzymatic action which can damage the matcha tea quality. Then, the leaves are kept in big chambers with heated blowers for drying. Finally, the leaves undergo grinding procedure to turn them into fine matcha powder.

Did you know that matcha directly translates to “ground tea?” The first syllable “ma” means ground while the second “cha” means tea. Interesting isn’t it?

Preparation and Consumption

yerba mate consumption

Preparing yerba mate is not that difficult, in fact, it is almost as easy as making a 3-in-1 instant coffee. To make yerba mate, simply pour some yerba mate in your gourd or calabash. Cover the gourd with your palm and shake it to distribute the yerba mate all over the gourd. Then, pour in some hot water. Remember to not add in boiling water as too much temperature may damage the quality of your yerba mate. Finally, enjoy your healthy drink with a metal straw also referred to as a bombilla straw. The bombilla straw is a special straw for consuming yerba mate. It has a filter at the bottom part to separate the solid parts of the yerba mate from the infused tea.

The Gourd and the bombilla straw are essential if you want to complete your yerba mate experience. The flavors are more distinct when using a gourd as well. However, if you don’t have these two, a mug and a sieve will also work just fine. You may also use other brewing equipment like French press or a coffee maker.

Compared to mate, matcha tea’s preparation is a bit more time-consuming. To prepare traditional matcha tea, begin with sifting matcha powder into the matcha bowl. Next, pour in some hot water and whisk in a zigzag motion until you achieve a frothy consistency. Finally, you can enjoy your matcha tea directly from where you whisked it. If you want to follow this traditional preparation method, you will need a bamboo whisk (Chasen), Bamboo Matcha Scoop (Chashaku), and matcha bowl (Chawan).

matcha latte

If you don’t feel like consuming matcha tea in a traditional way, you can certainly prepare your matcha tea with this modern method which is similar to how we usually prepare a powdered drink. Begin with your matcha tea preparation by adding some amount of matcha powder to a cup. Next, pour in some hot water. Finally, stir and enjoy.

Taste

Yerba mate and matcha tea share the same earthy hints of flavor. However, their taste remains distinct and unique from each other. The quality of the yerba mate and matcha tea powder also matters when it comes to taste. Essentially, the higher quality of the product is, the more flavor it also has.

Yerba mate has a strong smoky and woody taste compared to matcha tea. It can also taste bitter when steeped in hot water. It has a light eucalyptus smell and taste as well. Beginner yerba mate drinkers may have difficulty adjusting to these strong flavors.

If you are having a hard time getting familiar with yerba mate’s taste you may add some sweetener like sugar and honey to suit your taste, You can also add in some milk or creamer. Enjoy drinking your yerba mate with different savory food like torta frita, cheese roll, and grilled tortilla.

Conversely, the taste of matcha tea is relatively mellow. It has a smooth grassy sweetness, slightly bitter taste, and notes of umami or savory taste. You can easily adjust matcha’s taste by adding sugar and milk. You may also pair your matcha tea with sweet dishes like the traditional Japanese tea ceremony sweets called wagashi.

Components

Yerba mate and matcha tea are full of different healthy components that provide various health benefits. But what exactly are these components?

Keep on reading as we name the different healthy components of yerba mate and matcha tea one by one below.

Yerba mate is no doubt a powerhouse of antioxidants and vitamins. Its most active healthy components are:

  • Xanthines
  • Caffeoyl derivatives
  • Polyphenols
  • Saponins
  • Vitamin B
  • Vitamin C
  • Potassium
  • Manganese and zinc
  • Caffeine

In addition to these, yerba mate also contains seven to nine essential amino acids. However, they do not come in high concentrations and may not offer many health benefits.

Matcha tea’s healthy components are almost similar to yerba mate. The most active beneficial components of matcha tea are:

  • Catechins particularly EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate)
  • Vitamin C
  • Phenolic acids
  • Polyphenols
  • L-theanine
  • Caffeine

Over and above, it is important to take note that the nutrients and components of these two products may vary by quality, brand, preparation, and more. Always buy these products from reputable sources to make sure that you are getting the best quality that suits your budget.

Health Benefits

With all of the healthy components that yerba mate contains, it is not surprising that it can offer a number of health benefits.

Here are the most important health benefits of yerba mate.

  • Helps boost the immune system and decreases the risk of acquiring many diseases
  • Anti-inflammatory and may protect the body against infections
  • Boosts metabolism and helps in weight loss
  • Provides a boost of energy without feeling jittery
  • Improves mental focus and alertness
  • Boosts physical performance in daily exercises and other physical activities
  • Lowers blood sugar levels
  • Helps treat headaches
  • Can potentially lower the risk of heart disease
  • Improves mood
  • Helps with depression

While matcha tea’s active healthy components are lesser than yerba mate, there are still many health benefits that it can offer.

The main health benefits of matcha tea are:

  • Improves brain function
  • Helps prevent many diseases
  • Reduces cellular damage
  • Slows down the aging process
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • May help prevent cancer
  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Can potentially protect the liver from damages
  • May help in better heart health
  • Helps in weight loss

Versatility

While yerba mate continues to impress a lot of health enthusiasts because of its healthy components and benefits, it is not a very versatile product. The best way to achieve the benefits of yerba mate is only by drinking.

On the contrary, matcha tea powder can be used in many ways other than for drinking. At present, matcha is enjoyed as a flavoring in many beverages like milk tea, smoothies, and milkshakes. It has also gained popularity as an ingredient in baking cakes and sweets. Moreover, matcha can be used for skincare. As a matter of fact, incorporating matcha powder in different skincare products is receiving much hype nowadays, It can help prevent acne, slow down the aging process, and improve the overall skin texture.

Availability

Both yerba mate and matcha tea powder are widely available in different leading retailers, groceries, health stores, and even online stores. The availability of these products may also depend on your location.

Side Effects

There are little to no side effects when you consume yerba mate and matcha tea in moderation. However, if you take these two drinks more than the recommended amount, there is a huge chance that you will experience side effects.

We’ve listed down the different side effects you can experience from drinking too much yerba mate and matcha tea.

Yerba mate’s recommended daily amount for consumption is only 1 liter. Drinking more than 1 liter of yerba mate a day may cause:

  • Insomnia or inability to sleep
  • Upset stomach
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nervousness
  • Nausea

When it comes to matcha tea, it’s best to limit consumption to only 1 to 2 cups a day to avoid side effects like:

  • Headaches
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability

The quality and kind of your yerba mate and matcha tea powder may also affect the severity of these side effects. Your body’s tolerance to these substances can play a part as well.

Cost

The cost is always dependent on the quality and availability of yerba mate and matcha tea. Nevertheless, here are some price estimates that you can use as a reference.

In the US, yerba mate’s cost ranges from about $2.89 to $3.75 per kilogram. ($1.31 to $1.70 per lb.) ($0.08 to $0.11 per oz.).

Whereas ceremonial grade matcha powder can cost $0.75 to $1 per gram, that is $750 to $1000 per kilogram ($340.91 to $454.55 per lb.) ($21.26 to $28.35 per oz.).

You may purchase much cheaper matcha which is the culinary grade for $0.25 to $0.50 per gram or $250 to $500 per kilogram ($113.64 to $227.27 per lb.) ($7.09 to $14.18 per oz.).

Although it’s tempting to buy the cheapest yerba mate and matcha tea powder on the market, we don’t encourage it. Remember that quality comes at a price and these two healthy drinks are not free from this notion. More expensive yerba mate and matcha tea have higher concentrations of nutrients, better flavors, and more health benefits.

Yerba Mate vs Matcha Tea: Which Is Better?

Choosing which one is better is very personal. As we have discussed above, yerba mate and matcha tea both have distinct qualities and benefits that suit different needs. Hence, it’s best if you make the choice yourself. At the end of the day, it’s all just a matter of taste.

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Hi, we are Benga and Lunide. We are a couple with a passion for health and fitness. Lunide has competed in multiple running races and triathlons and Benga is a former collegiate track and field athlete who now maintains a workout regime to stay fit.  Read more

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