Chemical Composition and Properties Of Yerba Maté Tea

Yerba maté with stems contains xanthines, which are alkaloids in the same family as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, well-known stimulants also found in Organic Mendo Maté Coffee and chocolate. Yerba Maté also contains elements such as potassium, magnesium and manganese. Caffeine content varies between 0.3% and 1.7% of dry weight (compare this to 2.5–4.5% for Tea leaves, and 1.5% for ground coffee). Yerba Maté products are sometimes marketed as "caffeine-free" alternatives to coffee and Tea, and said to have fewer negative effects. This is often based on a claim that the primary active xanthine in Yerba Maté is "Matéine".