How Much Caffeine Is in Yerba Coffee?

December 25, 2025 •

3 min read

An average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine, while a similar serving of yerba mate holds around 80 mg. Despite having slightly less caffeine per cup, many people find the energy from yerba mate to be more sustained and without the jitters often associated with coffee. The precise amount of caffeine in yerba mate depends heavily on preparation, making it a highly customizable alternative for your daily energy needs.

Quick Summary

Yerba mate contains less caffeine per serving than standard coffee, with an average 8-ounce cup having around 80 mg. The exact caffeine level is influenced by the brewing method and amount of mate used. Yerba mate provides a smoother, more balanced energy boost compared to coffee's rapid spike.

Key Points

Caffeine Content Varies: The caffeine level in yerba mate is highly dependent on the preparation, ranging from 20 mg (tea bag) to over 200 mg (traditional gourd session).
Smoother Energy Than Coffee: Yerba mate's energy is described as more balanced and sustained, lacking the sharp jitters and crash associated with coffee.
Contains Other Stimulants: In addition to caffeine, yerba mate naturally contains theobromine and theophylline, which contribute to its unique energizing effect.
Not a Type of Coffee: Yerba mate is an herbal infusion from a holly plant, not related to coffee beans, despite its comparable stimulating properties.
Customizable Strength: Brewing time and leaf amount can be adjusted to control the caffeine level, tailoring the drink to your personal preference.
Rich in Antioxidants: Yerba mate is a nutritional powerhouse, containing more antioxidants than green tea, along with various vitamins and minerals.
Unique Social Ritual: The traditional method of drinking yerba mate from a shared gourd is a social and cultural ritual in many parts of South America.

Yerba Mate is Not Coffee, But it Has Caffeine

It's a common misconception to refer to yerba mate as "yerba coffee". Yerba mate comes from the leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, a type of holly tree, making it a herbal infusion rather than a bean-based coffee. Both are caffeinated, but their caffeine content and effects on the body are distinct. Coffee delivers a potent, fast-acting energy spike, often followed by a crash, while yerba mate offers a smoother, more sustained lift due to its combination of caffeine with other stimulating compounds like theobromine and theophylline.

How Brewing Method Affects Caffeine Levels

One of the most significant factors influencing how much caffeine you get from yerba mate is how you brew it. Unlike the fairly consistent caffeine content of brewed coffee, a user can manipulate yerba mate's strength by adjusting several variables.

Traditional Gourd Method: The classic preparation involves filling a gourd with mate leaves and repeatedly refilling it with hot water, sipping through a filtered straw called a bombilla. This prolonged steeping can extract a significant amount of caffeine over a single session, sometimes yielding as much as 150 to 200 mg.
French Press or Tea Infuser: Using a French press for a quick brew is a modern, convenient method. Steeping a tablespoon of loose-leaf yerba mate for a few minutes can produce around 50–60 mg of caffeine in a single serving.
Tea Bags: For maximum convenience, yerba mate tea bags offer a milder, more consistent dose of caffeine. An average cup from a tea bag might contain only 20–40 mg of caffeine.
Ready-to-Drink Cans: Pre-packaged yerba mate drinks have highly variable caffeine levels, ranging from 80 mg to 160 mg or more per can depending on the brand.

The Yerba Mate vs. Coffee Caffeine Comparison

Comparing the caffeine content of yerba mate and coffee reveals their fundamental differences in energy delivery. While coffee has a higher peak caffeine level, yerba mate's unique compound profile provides a more balanced effect.

Beyond Caffeine: Theobromine and Theophylline

The experience of drinking yerba mate isn't just about caffeine. Theobromine, the same stimulant found in chocolate, and theophylline, also found in tea, work synergistically with caffeine to produce a different kind of energy. This combination is believed to smooth out the caffeine's effects, providing mental clarity and focus without the nervousness or crashes. This is a major reason people seek out yerba mate as a preferred coffee alternative.

Health Benefits and Considerations

Both beverages offer health benefits, but with different advantages. Coffee is often praised for its ability to reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases. Yerba mate, a nutritional powerhouse, is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, potentially aiding in digestion and weight management. However, both should be consumed in moderation due to their caffeine content. Excessive consumption of very hot beverages, including yerba mate, has also been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, though this is primarily linked to the temperature rather than the drink itself. Air-dried mate is available to minimize exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with fire drying.

Customizing Your Yerba Mate Experience

Given the variability in caffeine content, users can customize their yerba mate to their exact preferences. For a milder boost, similar to green tea, a short steeping time with a tea bag or moderate leaf-to-water ratio is best. For an intense, coffee-like kick without the jitters, a traditional gourd preparation or a longer French press steep is the way to go.

Conclusion: The Right Brew for You

Ultimately, the choice between coffee and yerba mate comes down to individual preference, caffeine sensitivity, and the type of energy boost desired. If you want a quick, powerful jolt, coffee is likely your go-to. But if you prefer a smoother, more sustained energy with fewer jitters and a unique nutritional profile, yerba mate is an excellent alternative. Understanding how much caffeine is in yerba coffee, or more accurately, yerba mate, empowers you to make an informed choice for your daily ritual.

Visit a dedicated resource for brewing techniques and product information.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, yerba mate is not coffee. It is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, which is a type of holly. Coffee is brewed from the roasted beans of the coffee plant.

No, typically coffee has more caffeine per 8-ounce cup than yerba mate. An average cup of coffee contains around 95 mg, while an average cup of mate has about 80 mg, although this can vary significantly by brewing method.

Yerba mate's energy feels different because it contains other stimulating compounds like theobromine and theophylline in addition to caffeine. This creates a smoother, more sustained energy boost with less chance of jitters or a crash.

You can control the caffeine level by adjusting the brewing method, leaf-to-water ratio, water temperature, and steeping time. Longer steeping and hotter water extract more caffeine.

Yes, many ready-to-drink canned yerba mate products contain higher caffeine levels than a traditionally prepared cup. Some brands can contain anywhere from 80 mg to 160 mg per can.

The traditional method involves using a hollow gourd and a filtered metal straw called a bombilla. You repeatedly add hot water to the leaves in the gourd and sip it, a process that continues for a single session.

While yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, consuming it excessively or at very high temperatures has been linked to a higher risk of certain cancers, particularly when combined with other risk factors. It's best to consume it in moderation and avoid drinking it while scalding hot.