( 1 reviews )
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Posted: Feb 15 2008
I did a lot of research on Yerba Mate', and I strongly suggest you do the same. There seems to be a big dispute over whether Yerba Mate' contains caffeine or not. You will see some references about it containing as much caffeine as coffee, and then you will find references saying it has no caffeine at all, and then you will find yet more references that it contains a different form (isotope) of caffeine. I'm not sure what the case actually is concerning caffeine at this point. I decided to find out for myself and bought several different types of Yerba Mate' teas, ranging from very cheap to very expensive. The way it works may be different for everyone, but Yerba Mate' definitely has a caffeine-like effect on me, but it doesn't make me jittery like caffeine usually does. It gives me a very mellow, yet very awake, feeling after about two cups. Now, how about the taste? Well, you will see some reviews that talk about Yerba Mate' tasting something like boiled hay/grass... this is true for most of the Yerba Mate' teas that I bought. The Wisdom Of The Ancients Yerba Mate' Royale Chai Spice is an exception to this. This chai flavored Yerba Mate' has a wonderful flavor and is very enjoyable. This is one of the less expensive brands, but it is the best tasting I have found. I have several people from my office now ordering it (or at least stealing some of mine on a regular basis). Wisdom Of The Ancients Yerba Mate Royale Chai Spice also contains stevia, so it is probably already sweet enough for most people without adding anything to it (though I do add some Splenda and creamer). One last important note: let the tea bags steep much longer than you would let regular tea steep, and never boil the tea bags! Boiling Yerba Mate' makes it taste like something you scraped off the bottom of your lawnmower. I usually let it steep for 10-15 minutes in very hot water, which would make regualr tea too bitter to drink, but Yerba Mate' does not get bitter with over-steeping. As cheap as this brand is, grab a box and try it for yourself, and chances are you'll have a very enjoyable experience.
