Is mate higher in caffeine than coffee? A nutritional showdown

November 11, 2025 •

3 min read

While many believe coffee is the ultimate energy source, a standard 8-ounce cup of drip coffee averages 95 mg of caffeine, compared to yerba mate's 80-85 mg for the same serving size. This dispels the common misconception that is mate higher in caffeine than coffee, but the full picture is more complex and depends on brewing methods.

Quick Summary

Yerba mate typically has slightly less caffeine per cup than coffee but offers a smoother, sustained energy boost, thanks to other compounds. Brewing methods and serving sizes can significantly affect the final caffeine level.

Key Points

Caffeine Content: Coffee typically has a higher concentration of caffeine per 8-ounce serving than yerba mate.
Energy Type: Yerba mate provides a smoother, more sustained energy boost without the sharp peaks and crashes often associated with coffee.
Brewing Matters: The final caffeine content in both drinks is highly dependent on preparation method, water temperature, and steeping time.
Nutrient Richness: Yerba mate is a powerhouse of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, offering more nutritional value than coffee.
Beyond Caffeine: Mate's unique energy effect is due to a blend of xanthines, including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
Acidity: Yerba mate is generally less acidic than coffee, which can be gentler on sensitive stomachs.

The Caffeine Showdown: Yerba Mate vs. Coffee

On a milligram-for-milligram basis in a standard 8-ounce serving, coffee is the winner in terms of raw caffeine content. A typical cup of drip coffee contains approximately 95 mg of caffeine, while a cup of yerba mate contains an average of 80–85 mg. However, this simple comparison doesn't capture the entire story. The key difference lies not just in the quantity, but in how the caffeine is delivered and experienced, largely influenced by brewing method and the presence of other compounds.

The Energy Experience: Jolt vs. Sustained Boost

The energy rush from coffee is often immediate and intense, followed by a potential 'crash' as the caffeine wears off. This is because caffeine is absorbed quickly. Yerba mate, on the other hand, contains other compounds known as methylxanthines, including theobromine and theophylline. These work alongside the caffeine to produce a different physiological effect. The result is a cleaner, smoother, and more sustained energy boost without the jitters or sudden drop-off. This is a major reason why many people prefer mate for focus-demanding tasks or sustained productivity.

The Impact of Brewing Methods

For both coffee and yerba mate, preparation is a crucial variable that can significantly alter the final caffeine content. These methods offer a high degree of control over the strength of your beverage.

Yerba Mate Preparation:

Traditional Gourd and Bombilla: This method involves filling a gourd with mate leaves and continuously refilling with hot (not boiling) water, sipping through a filtered straw (bombilla). Over multiple refills, the total caffeine extracted can be substantial, sometimes approaching espresso levels.
French Press: A convenient modern method for brewing loose-leaf mate. Steeping time can be adjusted for strength.
Tea Bags: Single-serve bags offer a milder, more consistent caffeine dose, similar to green tea.

Coffee Preparation:

Drip Coffee: A standard filter machine brew that yields around 95 mg of caffeine per 8 ounces.
Cold Brew: Involves steeping coffee grounds in cold water for 12–24 hours, resulting in a brew with the highest total caffeine content due to a longer extraction time and higher coffee-to-water ratio.
Espresso: A small, concentrated shot, containing about 63 mg of caffeine per 1-ounce shot. While highly concentrated, the total caffeine per serving is low.

Nutritional and Health Profiles: A Deeper Look

Beyond caffeine, yerba mate and coffee differ in their overall nutritional makeup, offering distinct health benefits.

Nutritional Comparison: Yerba Mate vs. Coffee


Feature	Yerba Mate	Coffee
Caffeine (8oz)	~80-85 mg	~95 mg (drip)
Energy Effect	Smooth, sustained energy; fewer jitters	Quick jolt; potential crash
Nutrients	Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, E, B vitamins, and minerals	Rich in antioxidants, potassium, niacin, and magnesium (leaching can occur)
Acidity	Less acidic, potentially gentler on the stomach	More acidic, can cause digestive issues for sensitive individuals
Unique Compounds	Theobromine, Theophylline, Antioxidants	Chlorogenic Acid, Quinine, Antioxidants

Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

While both beverages have significant health benefits, it's important to be aware of potential drawbacks. Excessive consumption of either can lead to side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, increased heart rate, and digestive upset. For yerba mate specifically, long-term, high-volume consumption of the beverage at scalding-hot temperatures has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly when combined with smoking. This risk is largely attributed to the temperature of the liquid, not the mate itself.

Choosing the Right Brew for Your Body

When deciding between yerba mate and coffee, your choice depends on your personal preferences, health goals, and sensitivity to caffeine. If you prioritize a quick, powerful energy hit, coffee might be the better choice. For those seeking sustained focus without the jitters, or looking for a richer nutritional profile, yerba mate is an excellent alternative. The ritual and flavor of each drink also play a significant role in the experience.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

Ultimately, the question of whether is mate higher in caffeine than coffee can be answered with a nuanced understanding of preparation and individual effects. While coffee holds the slight edge in raw caffeine per standard serving, yerba mate provides a unique, smoother, and more nutrient-rich energy boost due to its combination of compounds. The best option depends entirely on your desired energy experience and your body's response to different caffeine profiles.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have underlying health conditions. You can find more information on dietary supplements and their effects on the National Institutes of Health website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yerba mate is less likely to cause jitters compared to coffee. It provides a more balanced and sustained energy boost due to the presence of other compounds like theobromine, which work synergistically with caffeine.

Both have health benefits, but yerba mate often has a richer nutritional profile, packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Some studies also suggest coffee can be more acidic, which may be a concern for some individuals. The 'healthier' option depends on personal needs.

Yes, absolutely. For yerba mate, a traditional gourd with multiple refills can yield more caffeine than a single tea bag. For coffee, cold brew and espresso methods produce different caffeine concentrations per serving than drip coffee.

The sustained energy effect of yerba mate is attributed to a combination of caffeine and other naturally occurring stimulants like theobromine and theophylline. This blend promotes a smoother, more balanced alertness.

As with any caffeinated beverage, excessive consumption can lead to side effects. Additionally, drinking yerba mate at excessively hot temperatures has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers over time, a risk primarily related to the temperature, not the mate itself.

Cold brew coffee typically has a much higher total caffeine content than yerba mate, especially in larger servings, due to a longer steeping process. It offers a different flavor and energy profile than mate's more sustained lift.

Yes. Yerba mate is a nutritional powerhouse containing vitamins A, C, E, and several B vitamins, as well as minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.