Green Tea Vs Yerba Mate | Tips To Select The Best & Healthier One

If green tea is one of the most beneficial drinks in the world then Yerba Mate may be the healthiest!

Where ever in the world you are from, make sure to get your hands on one of them.

But, the question is which one you should go after?

So, to help you select the best for you we’ve gathered some similarities & differences between Green Tea and Yerba Mate.

Let’s explore.

Green Tea Vs Yerba Mate

The main difference between Green tea and Yerba Mate is that the former one comes from a plant from where all other teas are derived like black tea, oolong tea etc. On the other hand Yerba Mate is derived from a shrub plant called Ilex Paraguariensis.

Green tea is more popular in Asian countries like China, India and Japan while Yerba Mate is consumed by the people of Argentina mostly.

Yerba Mate Vs Green Tea: The Origins

Yerba Mate & Green tea comes from different parts of the world.

Yerba Mate

• This tea comes from a shrub-like plant and is also known as Ilex Paraguariensis.
• It comes from ancient times and was used by the people of Brazil and Argentina. The Guarani people used the plant leaves to make a drink. It was even used as currency notes.
• Most South American countries use this tea plant to make a tea called mate. There are a lot of variations in which this tea can be made.

Green Tea

• Green tea comes from a plant (camellia Sinensis). Most of the most famous teas come from the same plant. These include black tea, white tea, oolong, etc.
• It originated in China and many other countries like Japan, Sri Lanka, and India are producing and exporting it around the world.

Nutritional Value

Let’s see what the nutritional value of one cup of both teas provides us.

[table id=77 /]

Which One Has More Caffeine Content?

As we can see in the table above which tea has almost the same caffeine as a cup of coffee.

It contains about 70 mg of caffeine in a cup which comes occurs naturally in its plant. In comparison, green tea has little caffeine of 30 mg in a cup of tea.

Therefore, if you are looking for a high caffeine option the tea from Argentina is your go-to tea. And if avoiding caffeine then green tea is the best alternative.

Taste & Consistency

The flavor profile of both teas is different. Yerba mate has a unique taste that can be slightly like coffee and chocolate white green tea has a classic taste that is recognized easily.

Yerba Mate Taste & Color

This tea is more of a herbal tea. The flavor depends upon the brew and the type of herbs used. It can be sweet, distinct, and herbal essence.

It comes in both loose leaf and powdered varieties. The loose leaves are fresh and have a sweet & lighter taste. The powdered tea is on the bitter side and strong taste.

Green Tea Taste & Color

Green tea has a lot of types and origins. This is the reason its taste ranges from sweet to nutty to astringent. Chinese green teas are sweet and fruity. These are roasted and fried varieties.

Japanese green teas are steamed and have a slightly bitter taste and green color.

Tradition & Culture

Both are rich in culture and have a lot of importance in their regions.

Yerba Mate Culture

You may be hearing the name of this tea today but it is a part of the daily life of people in Argentina and Uruguay. This is used as a morning drink, to serve the guest, and even in offices.

They value this tea and it’s been a part of their culture since ancient times of their ancestors.

Green Tea Culture

Green tea is day and night for the people of China & Japan. They have a tea ceremony and a green tea day to celebrate the unique benefits of their favorite drink.

The history of green tea goes way back to the 16th century when a Chinese Emperor discovered the tea and since then it’s been used in these countries as a tea and medicinal elixir.

Yerba Mate Vs Green Tea: The Availability?

This one is easy to guess. The more common and known a tea is, the more easily its available.

Availability of Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is available in South America where it’s commonly available and produced. If you are reading this from another part of the world, you won’t be finding it in your super-local store.

Yerba Mate is less produced and not that famous. Therefore, its export is rare.

The best place to get hold of this tea is online. Even online you may get it in America and it may be difficult to be shipped to other parts of the world. But nothing is impossible in this digital world.

Availability of Green Tea

Green tea is produced widely in many tea-producing regions. It is also exported all over the world. You can find Chinese types of green tea almost everywhere in the world.

There is a lot of competition between different exporting countries.

Thus, an easy find. Some Japanese green teas are not exported thus they are only sold online.

Which One is Easy to Adapt?

If you are thinking to include one of the teas in your routine which one would be easily adaptable? Let’s find out.

Yerba Mate Adaptability

As we studied in the taste section the Yerba Mate has a bitter flavor. It may not taste good to your taste buds.

If you are trying it for the first time you may not even be able to finish your cup.

Hence, adjusting to the flavor of this tea is hard.

Green Tea Adaptability

Green tea is also not that pleasant to try for the first time. But the good news is that it comes with different infusions and flavors.

Adding green tea with other teas like white tea or Jasmine tea enhances its taste. It even makes a wonderful drink to consume.

Thus, it is easy to gulp down green tea with sweeteners and flavors.

Health Benefits

These teas come from different plants and they provide different types of health benefits too. Let’s see what kind of antioxidants and uses both teas provide.

Health Benefits of Yerba Mate

• Antioxidants in this tea plant are different from green tea. They are more like caffeine in coffee. The number of antioxidants in Yerba Mate is higher than in green tea.
• Caffeine is a naturally occurring content in this tea. It improves energy and focus.
• Due to good carbohydrates, Yerba Mate improves physical performance.
• Drinking this tea before a workout and exercise are known to improve energy levels and activity.
• Yerba mate is good for heart health and the cardiovascular system.
• It is beneficial for weight loss and maintaining good health.
• Two important nutrients are Vitamin C and Vitamin E, they are beneficial for skin, health, and improving immunity.

Health Benefits of Green Tea

• Green tea is also rich in antioxidants but they differ from those of Yerba Mate.
• An effective antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate EGCG is only produced in the Camellia Sinensis plant. This is responsible for all the greatness of green tea.
• Green tea lowers blood sugars, cancer cells, and the risk of strokes.
• It is a natural diuretic and eliminated all the toxins from the body.
• The L-theanine in green tea relaxes you from stress and anxiety. Thus, helps in relaxing and sleeping.

Green Tea VS Yerba Mate: The Best One For Weight Loss?

Both of the drinks are healthy alternatives to reduce your weight naturally. Lets differentiate green tea vs yerba mate.

Yerba Mate Weight Loss

Yerba mate contains large amounts of caffeine almost equivalent to coffee. Caffeine is one of the main factors that boost metabolism, makes the fat-burning process faster. Thus, helpful in weight loss quickly.

This tea also curbs your appetite and in return makes you eat healthy food. Drinking yerba mate during a fat gives you the energy to last longer and makes you less hungry.

Green Tea Weight Loss

Green tea is also a known drink that helps with maintaining body weight. It is beneficial in controlling your cravings and limiting your food intake. Green tea helps in burning calories and decreasing the fats around your waist.

Thus, both teas provide weight loss aid, but due to more caffeine in yerba mate, it wins in reducing weight quickly.

A Green Tea Yerba Mate Recipe

Do you know that you can mix green tea with other types of teas? Why not combine the two most beneficial drinks and make a new infusion. Here’s the recipe.

Are There Any Down Sides of Both?

Yes, both teas can have side effects if taken in large amounts. As each tea contains caffeine the side effects of both teas taken in excess are similar.

Let’s see what can be the downsides of these when consumed in large amounts.

• Large amounts of caffeine can cause palpitations, increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
• Green tea and Yerba Mate can cause anxiety and restlessness and they should be taken in moderation.
• Taking these teas late at night can have a diuretic effect and may disrupt your sleep.
• People with caffeine sensitivity and acidity may have stomach irritability, vomiting, and nausea as a side effect of excess teas.

Which One Is Better?

Green tea vs yerba mate come from different plants and countries. They both are rich in antioxidants and have a handful of benefits. Yerba Mate is better in terms of having more antioxidants and caffeine.

Thus, if your goal is to lose weight then yerba mate is your go-to tea. However, if you are looking for an option with less caffeine with similar benefits then opt for green tea.

Bottom Line

Yerba Mate comes from a plant that makes herbal teas while green tea has a different origin.

We can’t deny the benefits of these teas. They contain a lot of nutrients and are helpful in your health.

Therefore, implement one of these in your routine. Green tea is easier to taste if it’s your first time with these kinds of teas.