Yerba mate and matcha are natural drinks that were born in specific cultures. Their flavor and their benefits have made them accepted by other countries, to the point of being assumed as typical drinks in those communities. In these they are consumed in great quantity and enjoy fame, myths and legends that justify both the source of their benefits, as well as the ritual that accompanies them every time they are consumed.
If you are changing your habits and are looking to replace coffee with a healthy drink, here we will talk about the benefits and differences between the two popular drinks in the world. Our intention is that you know when to choose between yerba mate or matcha tea, and you opt for the one that provides the greatest benefit given its concentration of nutrients. Dare to know which is the best, yerba mate or matcha tea, for your health and healthy fun with friends.
What is the difference between yerba mate and matcha tea?
If you are wondering about the differences between Yerba Mate vs matcha, both drinks are healthy and offer a unique flavor and experience both to those who have traditionally drunk them and to those who are interested in doing so. Despite this, matcha green tea and Yerba Mate maintain marked differences thanks to their origin and their benefits, which have positioned them among the favorite drinks on the market.
Matcha tea is a fine powder derived from the leaves of a Chinese plant that came to Japan and became very popular in Japanese culture, to the point of being part of traditional tea ceremonies. Its high concentration of chlorophyll has given it its dark green color, while good care of the plant and the processing of the tea have given it a vegetable flavor with mild sweetness, pleasant and fresh to the palate of experts and beginners.
Yerba mate is an infusion of dried leaves and twigs of a holly from a Argentinian, Paraguayan and Brazilian plant: Ilex Paraguariensis. It enjoys great popularity throughout the world, but particularly in South America. Its fans consider it delicious for its strange smoky and woody taste, in addition to attributing a special ritual to drinking it: it is drunk in a gourd with a metal straw and in the company of friends and family.
Benefits of yerba mate and matcha tea
Both drinks share benefits for our health. A daily cup of yerba mate or matcha tea will help you slow down the premature aging of your skin, obtain greater concentration and mental clarity, prevent chronic degenerative diseases, such as diabetes, and lose weight thanks to the fact that they accelerate metabolism, burn fat, increase the effectiveness of exercise and help you stay active.
However, the proportion of such benefits varies in these drinks depending on the concentration of certain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other plant properties that are healthy for the maintenance of our body. Below we present a detailed table on the differences in terms of the beneficial properties between both drinks, for a clearer and more reliable reading of their benefits.
| Yerba Mate | Matcha Tea | |
| Antioxidants | Abundant in antioxidants, with an ORAC value of 6,000 units. The main antioxidant is chlorogenic acid. | With a variety of antioxidants and an ORAC value of 1300 units. The main antioxidant is epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG. |
| Caffeine | According to research, it contains between 80-85 mg of caffeine per 8 oz. | Matcha contains between 70-75 mg of caffeine per oz, more than a cup of green tea. |
| L-Theanine | Doesn’t contain | It contains this amino acid, which, together with caffeine, increases cognitive performance and reduces stress. |
| Essential vitamins and minerals | Contains xanthines, polyphenols, saponins, vitamins B and C, potassium, magnesium and zinc. | Among the minerals and vitamins that it includes is vitamin C, zinc and potassium. |
| Catechins | Doesn’t contain | It contains this antioxidant that is perfect for preventing cancer. |
| Low in Calories | It helps lose weight, increases energy expenditure and promotes a feeling of satiety. | Ideal for weight control due to the abundance of EGCG. |
Yerba mate vs. matcha tea: which one to choose?
Knowing when to choose yerba mate or matcha tea can be tricky due to their similar benefits. One way to guide you could be that the benefits of the former may be more effective than the latter, since the amount of concentration is greater. Now, if you want to take advantage of the anticancer properties of matcha, where there is more concentration, you can choose to drink this variety of green tea with a certain earthy taste.
Also, for those who are used to drinking tea, we recommend trying matcha tea. We, however, opted for yerba mate, thanks to its high percentage of properties such as caffeine, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, which make it a very beneficial and complete drink. They also fight chronic diseases and can be as effective as the properties of matcha tea.
Conclusion
If in the symbolic war between yerba mate tea vs matcha tea you have a hard time knowing which is the best, we recommend you review our table of benefits where the nutrients of each one and their favorable consequences for our body and spirit are detailed. Perhaps one last glance will finish convincing you about the timeliness and convenience of drinking yerba mate. Now, if you already have it clear and you are only looking to buy it, visit our yerba mate store so that you can acquire the best one.
