If I had a dollar for every time I drank a caffeinated drink during this time of the year, I'd probably be a millionaire. Okay, maybe that's a little bit of an exaggeration, but I definitely consume way too much caffeine. Recently, I've been introduced to the glory that is Yerba mate, a popular South American beverage that gives the effects of caffeine and has health benefits as well. So what exactly is the deal when it comes to coffee vs Yerba mate?
What is it?
Yerba mate is derived from a holly shrub that is native to many South American countries. It has many medicinal properties that serve the mind and body. When brewed like tea leaves, it turns into a drink with similar caffeine content to coffee.
Coffee, as most of us know, comes from the bean of the coffee plant. It is ground up and then brewed with water to become the great cuppa joe many of us know and love.
How awake will it make me feel?
For many of us here in North America, Yerba mate has only become very popular within the last few years. South Americans have been drinking it for a very long time, and even swear by it over coffee for that boost of energy.
A cup of Yerba contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine, while an average cup of coffee typically contains around 100-200 grams of caffeine. So if you're worried about how much caffeine you're consuming, you might want to give Yerba a try.