As you can tell, this site mostly talks about yerba mate. But there’s another powerfully caffeinated herb gaining popularity. Often compared to yerba mate, it’s called guayusa (why-you-suh).
Guayusa and yerba mate are quite similar. But they have slight differences.
Whether one is better than the other, you’ll have to keep reading and decide for yourself.
I haven’t tried guayusa yet (only yerba mate), so I can’t tell you my opinion.
But what you’ll find below is guayusa and yerba mate going head-to-head in several categories. Some including taste and effects.
So by the time you reach the end, you’ll know the major differences between the two. And exactly which one you might like.
Let’s start with their origins…
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Origins
One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that these two herbs are the exact same.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Yes, guayusa and yerba mate come from the same plant (holly tree).
But they’re not the same species.
Holly tree
Yerba mate is the plant ilex paraguariensis, while guayusa is ilex guayusa (a lot easier to remember).
Yerba mate is grown and consumed in the southern parts of South America such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
Guayusa, on the other hand, grows in the northern parts of South America. Particularly, the Amazon Rainforest. And is consumed mostly in Ecuador.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Processing
Packaged guayusa and yerba mate have one main difference in regards to processing.
Guayusa and yerba mate are both harvested, dried, and then milled.
But their drying process is completely different.
Picked guayusa leaves
Guayusa is air-dried, whereas yerba mate is smoke-dried.
What’s the difference?
To dry guayusa, companies use natural gas-fired ovens. And to dry yerba mate, they instead use fire from burning wood.
This drying process has shown to increase PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) content in yerba mate. Studies have shown PAH causes cancer in animals. However, there aren’t any studies showing the same in humans. Since figuring this out, companies have started making air-dried, unsmoked yerba mate to reduce the levels of PAHs.
So if you’re worried about PAHs, but want to buy yerba mate, you must find brands that are air-dried. However, if you want to buy guayusa, you don’t need to worry about it.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Traditional Preparation
Yerba mate and guayusa can both be prepared like your typical tea (steeping and straining). But the traditional methods are nowhere near the same.
Guayusa is traditionally prepared by boiling water in a pot with whole guayusa leaves.
But oftentimes, you won’t find them whole. They’re usually milled like yerba mate. In this case, you would simply prepare it like you would regular tea.
On the other hand, to prepare yerba mate traditionally, you’ll first need two things:
- A gourd
- And bombilla (filtered straw)
Now, you fill the gourd with yerba mate leaves, make a slope, put in the straw, and fill the gourd with boiling water. And here’s what you’ll end up with:
I’m simplifying the process here, but that pretty much sums it up.
If you want to know the exact way to prepare yerba mate, I already written a post on it which you can find here.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Chemical Composition
Aside from caffeine, there are plenty of other health benefits found in tea.
Depending on the plant, the chemical compounds vary.
Although guayusa and yerba mate come from the same plant species, their properties aren’t completely identical.
Guayusa contains a compound not found in yerba mate. And yerba mate contains a different compound not found in guayusa.
Let’s start with yerba mate’s chemical compounds…
Yerba mate contains:
- Caffeine (85mg in 8oz)
- Theobromine (mild stimulant found in chocolate)
- And theophylline
Theophylline (found in tea) is the missing compound in guayusa.
It’s used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma by relaxing airway muscles, making it easier to breathe. Which in return, helps reduce stress through deeper breathing.
Now let’s take a look at guayusa…
Guayusa contains:
- Caffeine (66mg in 8oz)
- Theobromine
- And L-theanine
L-theanine is what’s missing in yerba mate.
This amino acid (mostly found in green tea), relaxes and reduces stress without causing drowsiness. L-theanine also works great in counteracting the jitters and increased heart rate from caffeine. Making L-theanine and caffeine a super effective combo.
As you can see, guayusa and yerba mate have one compound the other does not. And just this difference is enough to experience different effects.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Effects
After looking at the chemical composition of both guayusa and yerba mate, you should already have an idea what effects they’ll give you.
Guayusa and yerba mate are both said to stimulate the mind, boost energy, enhance concentration, and uplift mood, WITHOUT the crashing and jitters you might get from drinking coffee.
It’s this reason why so many people have turned to these two plants.
However, guayusa and yerba mate still have minor differences.
Although I haven’t tried guayusa, people have said it to be more relaxing than yerba mate. Which makes sense because it has a lower caffeine content. And also because it contains the amino acid L-theanine.
But what I can tell you about yerba mate is it gives you all the energy you need. Sometimes, lasting throughout the entire day. And even after drinking it for so long, I still never had the jitters, crash, or burnout.
Remember though, everyone reacts differently.
What I say happens to me might not be the same for you.
But when you do try guayusa or yerba mate, expect it to be much different than a cup of coffee.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Taste
Now for the the section you’ve been dying to know – taste.
How does guayusa and yerba mate taste? Which one tastes better?
Of course, to find out, you need to try them both yourself.
But to give a brief description, based on my own experience and other people’s comments, here’s how they taste…
Yerba mate is bold, earthy, bitter, and smoky. The degree of each flavor varies depending on the brand. But typically, this is what you can expect. Some can be harsh, some smooth, and some sweet.
Yerba mate leaves
As for guayusa, it tastes similar to yerba mate, but not as strong or bitter. And it’s also not smoky (refer to processing section). Many people say it’s a lot smoother and that it even has a natural sweetness to it.
Guayusa leaves
But besides the two flavor profiles, you must know this…
Guayusa and yerba mate are an acquired taste.
You almost will definitely hate the taste of the two if you never tried either before. But you just have to get used to it. And you’ll come to enjoy the herbaceous and grassiness of it.
Guayusa VS Yerba Mate: Summary
If you made it down here, you now understand the major differences between guayusa and yerba mate.
All that’s left for you to do is to make a choice.
If you’re simply wanting to try an alternative to coffee, either one will do.
But if drink one and not the other, you shouldn’t be hesitant to get the one you haven’t tried yet.
Guayusa and yerba mate are very similar.
And who knows, you might fall in love with the other.
P.S. If you’re interested in trying guayusa, this is the most popular brand selling right now – Runa
P.P.S. Now if you’re interested in trying yerba mate, you might want to check out our store to get everything you need today!
EXCELLENT Post.thanks for share..more wait.
Would be nice to hear from someone who actually tried them both. I’ve been drinking Yerba for decades and now going to try Guayusa. Most likely people want to hear how it effects you vs Yerba Matte. Have you actually tried it yet? if not why not? I’m actually drinking the Guayusa right now and it does taste better then Yerba. As far as effects, it works well. I will drink them both (black). Maybe even blend them to receive the benefits of what both.
Hey!
I actually have not gotten around to it yet. I’m still trying different mates since that’s what this blog is built around.
But that’s great you were able to try them both. I’m guessing it wasn’t as bitter/grassy/earthy as yerba mate?
Darren
I drink both often but I prefer Guayusa..if buying either already prepared be wary of sugar contents. Both are available unsweetened. Run energy drinks (guayusa) unsweetened blood orange and mint strawberry are exceptional. Both give you a long lasting boost with no jitters or crash. I can’t say one is better than the other, they are both good but I don’t have time to brew myself often so I grab a Runa…
Hello, I have been drinking yerba mate since I was a child. As children we are given mate cocido. Mate cocido is mate that is not consumed in the gourd. It’s prepared like loose leaf tea in drip coffee makers, teavana infuser and mesh strainers. Yerba Mate is also sold in tea sacks or you can buy empty tea sacks and fill them yourself. I like my Mate with with dried orange peel. We also drink Mate Yerba in a glass with a bombilla straw but ice cold Fanta or orange juice replaces the hot water; this infusion is called terere. Try it on a hot day!
To properly brew Yerba Mate, you must bring water to the off boil; meaning around 190°F when small bubbles form in the water. The use of the boiling water as described in this blog tends to bring the bitterness of Yerba Mate forward.
This blog, as nice as it is for reference, forgets to mention that Yerba mate also contains the flavonoids quercetin and rutin. These two flavonoids have been used in cancer treatment and blood vessel protection. Also Yerba Mate contains potassium, magnesium and manganese. I apologize for the the dissertation but as an Argentine Chef who holds several degrees in different fields, I found Yerba Mate to be a powerful ally in those late night study sessions.
Hi Alejandro,
Thank you for sharing!
And you are correct about the preparation and everything else — although I find 150-170°F to be my sweet spot. This post was just a quick general comparison of the two herbs for those who are torn between which one to get.
There’s surely no debate about the nutritional substance of yerba mate. It’s a powerhouse. To list them all here will just be too long.
Cheers!
Darren
Very interesting.
I never liked Mate so much, I mean I liked it much more than coffee but there still was these jitters. As I heard about guayusa 1 year ago I directly tried it. I live in germany and it wasn’t easy to find. Anyway I found a seller called GUYA and the taste is really different from mate in my opinion. Also different from the green and raw mate which smell is a bit like from guayusa. Since then I drink guayusa really on a daily basis 😀 it is great!
I’m from Brazil and as such have had Mate my whole life. I also have the fortunate position to have lived in Ecuador for a few years and tried Guayusa. I found that they both have similar effects but do differ in flavor profile. Guayusa was less bitter and easier to get into since you don’t really need to by a bombilla and gourd and all you have to do is boil water and call it good. But do understand that while I was in Ecuador I hadn’t had Mate for well over a year so I could really compare them side by side but relied on memory. Really both are great and whichever you can obtain will provide you with energy and nutrients and be a much healthier energy boost than coffee or those awful energy drinks.
I have had both and even drink them cold. I like guayusa better but only minorly and it costs about twice as much per bag (I am to lazy for loose leaf and gourd and such). I am aweful about making them but that is part of what I like about them. I throw boiling water on the bags, ice water, I reuse the bags all day. I never get any nasty flavor like if you do that with tea. Its about the only thing that moderates my soda consumption as I do not like coffee and tea wise I tend toward oolong or the fermented stuff but like this even better.
I tried both, for me they are significantly differrent. Mate gives all that energy you need, but there is no ‘magic’ that is present in guayusa. Also guayusa can be used for lucid dreams. And during preparing it gives a wonderful aroma
Anyone that has trouble with the flavor of guayusa, don’t be afraid to add other herbs! It’s very good with spearmint/peppermint or licorice root(and I’m assuming, many other things, just haven’t tested that many combos out yet!) Next I’m going to try mixing it with some fruity flavors, since it is also good cold, as someone else mentioned 🙂
Dear All,
i want to add, as a former professional purchaser of yerba mate ( ilex paraguariensis), that yerba mate is not necessarily ‘smoked’ ( Sapecado, as yerba mate producers would say) as written above. Therefore there is yerba mate which is air dried and as good as free of PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon).
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Where can you buy Guayusa?