Guayaki Yerba Mate, Organic Traditional Loose Leaf, 16 oz

Guayakí’s Organic Yerba Mate loose leaf tea has become a staple in my daily routine. As someone who’s always looking for a clean energy boost without the crash of coffee, this product really delivers.The flavor is earthy, slightly bitter (as expected from traditional yerba mate), with a fresh, grassy aroma that feels really natural. I appreciate that it’s USDA Organic and sustainably sourced — that’s a big plus for me when it comes to tea or any plant-based product.One of the standout features is the clean, focused energy it provides. It’s not jittery like coffee, and I find the mental clarity and alertness to be much smoother and longer-lasting. It also has a nice calming effect from the theobromine content, balancing out the caffeine.In terms of preparation, I like using a French press or a gourd with a bombilla, but it works just as well with a tea strainer or infuser. The loose leaf quality is solid — a good mix of leaves, stems, and powder — very authenticIf you’re looking for a natural energy alternative that supports focus and well-being, Guayakí’s loose leaf yerba mate is a fantastic option. It’s energizing, grounding, and has become my go-to morning ritual. Highly recommended for both yerba mate beginners and longtime fans.

Started drinking it after hearing Tim Ferris drinks Yerba Mate. This had good reviews which is why I chose this brand.I measure my blood sugar often and test what effects various foods and drinks have on it. - I'm prediabetic and trying to reverse it. If I drink this tea alone on an empty stomach it will lower my blood sugar by approximately 14 points over the course of the following hour from when I first start sipping it. For example, I would go from 100 down to 86. If I drink it with a meal it seems to suppress my blood glucose values slightly compared to when I eat the same food without drinking the Yerba Mate.I have consumed hundreds of cups over the last year or so and it has never once made me jittery. The most I would have in a day is probably 2 tea bags. I typically have 2 cups of decaf coffee first thing in the AM, then I have a cup or two of this tea after that.I will use one bag twice if I am having a second cup right after the first one. The second cup will obviously be a little weaker but it is still satisfying.The tea seems to help calm me and focus me and help me get into "the zone" when I am doing creative work. The effect is not strong. It is very subtle. So, don't drink it expecting a dramatic relaxation effect.I absolutely love the flavor. It is very mild in my opinion. To me it seems like the texture of the tea is almost as if you had a very small amount of butter in the tea cup. (Not the taste of butter - just the texture - like silky almost) I think it is just lovely.I have not been able to source this locally. Someone local probably sells it but I haven't found it yet. So I always buy it through Amazon. It always arrives promptly in good condition.The large foil bag that these tea bags ship in is easy to tear. You will probably want to have an airtight container of some kind to store your tea bags in. The bag they ship in will probably end up tearing wide open on you before you get half way through the bag.I strongly recommend this tea. Drinking this has become a daily habit for me. At this point it looks like a permanent habit too assuming the quality never diminishes and assuming the price remains affordable.

UPDATED AS OF 3/3/24I had to chime in to dispel some of the intensely inaccurate reviews on here, in terms of what yerba mate is and isn't, and its benefits.First, technically yerba mate is an herb, not a tea, as it is not from the camellia family. It's actually related to holly.Second, it contains vitamins, minerals, and more antioxidants than green tea (contrary to one misguided reviewer on here claiming that yerba only yields caffeine, which is not even close to the truth.)Yerba mate contains caffeine, theophylline (vasodilator) and theobromine (found in chocolate), but most who drink it find they do not experience the jitters, acid stomach or other negative aspects of coffee or green tea, myself included.I have found that yerba acts as a natural asthma medication for me, keeping my lungs open and giving me an energetic boost without feeling hyper, sweaty or keeping me from sleeping. In fact, I often take yerba before bed to keep the lungs happy all night and sleep like a baby. I cannot consume coffee or any tea (black or green) after noon and sleep at all, not even one cup. So clearly yerba is a special herb.It brews well in tea bags, in a traditional gourd and bombilla setup or in a French press. Apparently in South America, they have it cold and brewed in fruit juice and similar things for a refreshing summer beverage. I cannot wait to try that! I've made yerba overnight in the fridge, cold-brewed, and it was delicious. Strong, but not bitter at all.Just wanted to correct some misinformation on here and share some of the reasons why yerba mate has been a treasured part of my life for 3 decades and counting!Original Review:I was introduced to Guayaki Yerba Mate by a tenant of mine in Los Angeles. He used to chuck a few tea bags into his 1.5 liter water bottle, shake it up and sipped it throughout the day for energy and the lovely flavor. I tried it and have been a huge devotee ever since. I like it sweetened with a touch of liquid stevia and I brew mine quite strong (so strong, you cannot see through the water, lol) because I adore the rich, smokey flavor which only seems to deepen when you add a little sweetness. I also noticed that while I do feel a little energy lift from it, I never feel jittery nor has it ever disrupted my sleep when I drink it in the evening. It honestly seems to help my digestion as well, I feel like it kindles the digestive flames somehow, but that might just be my own experience.Wonderful flavor, unobtrusive energy and a healthy substitute for coffee or "energy drinks".