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Yerba mate

Yerba mate suppliers and sourcing guide

Yerba mate is the dried leaf and small stems of Ilex paraguariensis, a holly tree grown in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Leaves are flash-heated to stop enzyme browning, dried (traditionally with wood smoke, now often air dried), aged and milled; green and roasted styles are sold. Ingredient buyers use cut leaf for teas and water or hydroalcoholic extracts sold with a declared caffeine or chlorogenic acid content.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Ilex paraguariensis · maté · Paraguay tea · erva-mate
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of yerba mate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut leaf (with or without stems)

    Traditional milled leaf for infusions, sold with a stated leaf-to-stem ratio; smoked and unsmoked styles taste very different.

  • Roasted mate

    Leaf roasted after drying for a darker, coffee-like infusion.

  • Leaf extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract dried to a powder and sold with a declared caffeine and chlorogenic acid content by HPLC.

  • Organic

    Leaf or extract from certified organic plantations, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Microscopy or HPTLC to confirm Ilex paraguariensis leaf.
Caffeine and chlorogenic acids (HPLC)
Caffeine, theobromine and chlorogenic acids by HPLC; caffeine content drives label declarations in many markets.
PAHs
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzo[a]pyrene, which can be high in leaf dried over wood smoke.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic material and commonly requested for conventional lots.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep cut leaf and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, odor-free area away from light; leaf absorbs moisture and odors. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with caffeine rechecked on aged stock if it is declared.

Lots and expiry dates

Caffeine, flavor and PAHs vary with origin, drying method and aging, so record origin, style (smoked or air dried) and caffeine for each lot. Rotate stock FEFO and keep supplier lot codes traceable.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists maté (Ilex paraguariensis) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Ilex paraguariensis (POL-NF-00428) lists the non-concentrated aqueous infusion of the leaves as not novel in food and the leaves as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists mate absolute (Ilex paraguariensis) as a flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Yerba mate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking yerba mate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell yerba mate? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of yerba mate can brands buy?

Common forms include cut leaf (with or without stems), roasted mate, leaf extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for yerba mate include?

Expect identity, caffeine and chlorogenic acids (HPLC), pAHs, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should yerba mate be stored?

Keep cut leaf and extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, odor-free area away from light; leaf absorbs moisture and odors. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, with caffeine rechecked on aged stock if it is declared.

What is the regulatory status of yerba mate?

21 CFR 182.20 lists maté (Ilex paraguariensis) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Ilex paraguariensis (POL-NF-00428) lists the non-concentrated aqueous infusion of the leaves as not novel in food and the leaves as not novel in food supplements. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists mate absolute (Ilex paraguariensis) as a flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.

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