Which has more caffeine, coffee or yerba mate tea? A Comprehensive Guide

October 15, 2025 •

4 min read

While a typical 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 95 milligrams of caffeine, an equivalent serving of yerba mate tea usually has slightly less, around 80-85 milligrams. The answer to which has more caffeine, coffee or yerba mate tea? depends on a surprising number of factors beyond just the average serving size, from brewing technique to how your body processes the energy boost.

Quick Summary

This article analyzes the caffeine content of coffee and yerba mate, detailing how brewing methods and serving size influence the final concentration. It compares the distinct energy effects, nutritional profiles, and health implications of each beverage, offering insights to help you decide which is best for your lifestyle.

Key Points

Caffeine content depends on the brew: Coffee typically has more caffeine per 8oz cup, but highly depends on the brewing method (e.g., cold brew vs. instant).
Yerba mate offers sustained energy: The unique combination of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline in yerba mate provides a smoother energy boost without the sharp peaks and crashes of coffee.
Brewing method is critical: For both drinks, factors like water temperature, steeping time, and product-to-water ratio heavily influence the final caffeine concentration.
Yerba mate is rich in nutrients: The tea is packed with a wider array of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals compared to coffee, which is rich in chlorogenic acid.
Listen to your body's sensitivity: Individuals prone to jitters and anxiety may find yerba mate's gentler stimulant profile more suitable than coffee's intense jolt.

The Caffeine Showdown: A Head-to-Head Comparison

For many, the quest for a daily energy boost boils down to a choice between two popular, naturally caffeinated drinks: coffee and yerba mate. While the initial question of which has more caffeine seems straightforward, the answer is nuanced. Coffee typically contains more caffeine per standard serving, but yerba mate's unique composition provides a different kind of energy experience.

Caffeine Content per Serving

When looking at a standard 8-ounce cup, coffee is generally the more potent brew. However, this is far from the complete picture, as different brewing methods drastically alter the final caffeine level. For example, a potent cold brew coffee can deliver significantly more caffeine than an average cup of instant coffee.

On the other hand, a traditional gourd of yerba mate tea has a relatively consistent caffeine level per infusion, but the total intake can vary significantly. In South American culture, it is common to refill the gourd with hot water multiple times throughout the day, leading to a higher overall caffeine consumption over several hours.

The Energy Experience: Coffee's Jolt vs. Yerba Mate's Flow

Beyond raw numbers, the way caffeine is delivered and metabolized by the body is a critical distinction. Coffee is known for its quick, powerful, and sometimes jarring energy spike, which is often followed by a noticeable crash as the effects wear off. For those who are sensitive to caffeine, this can lead to jitters, anxiety, and a rapid heart rate.

Yerba mate, in contrast, offers a more sustained, balanced energy lift. This is due to its unique combination of stimulating compounds, or xanthines, which include caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. The presence of theobromine, a compound also found in chocolate, contributes to a gentler and longer-lasting stimulating effect. Many drinkers report feeling alert and focused without the typical anxious edge or the subsequent energy crash.

Factors Affecting Caffeine Levels in Your Cup

The caffeine content in both beverages is not static and is heavily influenced by how they are prepared. Understanding these variables allows you to customize your drink for your desired caffeine level.

For coffee, the key factors include:

Bean Type: Robusta beans naturally contain more caffeine than Arabica beans.
Roast Level: Lighter roasts tend to have more caffeine than darker roasts, as some caffeine is lost during the roasting process.
Brewing Method: Preparation method is a major variable. A single shot of espresso contains less caffeine than a full cup of drip coffee, while cold brew can be significantly more potent.

For yerba mate, the factors include:

Steeping Time: The longer the leaves are steeped, the more caffeine is extracted.
Water Temperature: Using hotter water (but not boiling, to avoid bitterness) extracts more caffeine from the leaves.
Preparation Method: The traditional gourd and bombilla method, which involves re-steeping the same leaves, can deliver more total caffeine than a single-use tea bag.

Nutritional Benefits and Health Considerations

Both coffee and yerba mate are rich in antioxidants, which help protect the body from free radicals and support cellular health. However, their nutritional profiles differ in other respects:

Antioxidants: Yerba mate is a polyphenol powerhouse, containing a wider range of antioxidants than coffee. Coffee's primary antioxidant is chlorogenic acid, which is still highly beneficial.
Vitamins and Minerals: Yerba mate is notable for containing a variety of vitamins (A, C, E, and B vitamins) and minerals (magnesium, potassium, zinc). While coffee also offers some minerals like potassium and magnesium, it is generally not as rich in vitamins.
Acidity and Digestion: Coffee is more acidic and can cause digestive issues like acid reflux for sensitive individuals. Yerba mate is often gentler on the stomach.

Potential Health Risks

It is important to be aware of potential health risks associated with both beverages, primarily due to caffeine and temperature. Excessive consumption of either can lead to anxiety, insomnia, and rapid heartbeat. For traditional yerba mate drinkers, consuming the brew at excessively hot temperatures over long periods has been linked to an increased risk of certain cancers, which can also apply to very hot coffee. Using cooler water is a preventative measure.

Coffee vs. Yerba Mate: A Comparison Table


Feature	Coffee	Yerba Mate
Caffeine per 8oz	~95 mg (can vary widely based on brewing)	~80-85 mg (can vary based on steeping time and method)
Energy Effect	Rapid energy jolt followed by a crash	Gradual, sustained energy with less crash or jitters
Key Stimulants	Caffeine	Caffeine, Theobromine, Theophylline
Antioxidant Content	High in Chlorogenic Acid	Very high in a wide range of Polyphenols
Acidity Level	More acidic; can cause digestive discomfort	Less acidic; generally gentler on the stomach
Vitamins & Minerals	Contains some Potassium and Magnesium	Rich in Vitamins A, C, E, B-vitamins, and minerals like Zinc and Potassium

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Brew

Ultimately, the choice between coffee and yerba mate is a personal one, influenced by individual caffeine sensitivity, taste preference, and desired energy effect. While coffee generally contains more caffeine per serving and provides an immediate jolt, yerba mate's unique blend of stimulants delivers a smoother, more balanced energy boost without the jitters. If you prioritize a quick, intense kick, coffee is likely your winner. If sustained focus and a gentler experience are what you seek, yerba mate is a compelling alternative. For a deeper look into the effects of yerba mate, read more about one person's experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, yerba mate is often praised for providing a smoother, more sustained energy boost that is less likely to cause the jitters associated with coffee. This is attributed to its combination of caffeine with other stimulants like theobromine and theophylline.

Yes, many people successfully replace their daily coffee ritual with yerba mate, especially those seeking a more balanced and sustained energy boost. The switch depends on your personal preference for flavor and energy effect.

For many, yes. Coffee is more acidic and can cause stomach irritation or acid reflux. Yerba mate is generally less acidic and can be gentler on the digestive system.

Yes, roasting affects caffeine levels. Lighter roasted coffee beans typically contain slightly more caffeine than darker roasted beans because the roasting process reduces the caffeine content over time.

The traditional gourd and bombilla method involves re-steeping the leaves multiple times, which can lead to a higher overall caffeine intake. As with any beverage, consuming it excessively hot can pose health risks.

The difference in energy effect comes from yerba mate's unique blend of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which work together to produce a smoother, more gradual stimulation than caffeine alone.

You can control the caffeine by adjusting your brewing method. Use cooler water and shorter steeping times for a milder effect, or use hotter water and longer steeping times for a more potent brew.

Both beverages are high in antioxidants, but yerba mate is particularly rich in a wide variety of polyphenols, potentially giving it a broader antioxidant profile than coffee.