Is yerba mate a green tea?
No. Green and black teas are both derived from the tea plant, Camelia sinensis. In contrast, yerba mate comes from the leaves of the South American holly tree (Ilex paraguariensis). Yerba mate shares many of the constituents that are found in green tea (antioxidants and caffeine). It is sometimes called South America’s version of green tea. A more accurate description for yerba mate would be a “caffeinated herbal tea” or a “tisane,” the French word used to describe herbal infusions that are prepared and enjoyed like tea.
