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I’m a sucker for tea, from chai and oolong to matcha, Earl Grey, and green tea. Caffeine is part of why I keep coming back, because I notice it quickly.
That is why I look closely at lower-caffeine coffee alternatives, and Guayakí Yerba Mate is one of the drinks I check most carefully.
I already knew yerba mate contains caffeine, but that fact alone does not tell me much. What matters to me is the number on the can.
That is the part I pay attention to, because the jittery feeling is not a fun companion.
Here is what I found about Guayakí Yerba Mate.
How much caffeine is in Guayakí Yerba Mate? (Flavors compared)
Guayakí Yerba Mate comes in different variants, and the caffeine changes from one to another.
Yerba mate is a herbal infusion rather than a true tea from the Camellia sinensis plant, but Guayakí is marketed more like an energy drink alternative.
That matches the caffeine content. Some versions sit much closer to energy drinks than to the teas I reach for when I want something gentler.
If caffeine hits you hard, I would not treat every can as a light tea. The serving size matters more than the word tea on the label.
The main question is simple: how much caffeine is in each variant? Here is the breakdown.
High Energy Cans
Flavors: Revel Berry, Lemon Elation, Tropical Uprising, Bluephoria, Enlighten Mint, Orange Exuberance, Peach Revival
I mentally file this energy drink version as the strongest option, so it is the one I read most carefully before buying.
In fact, a 15.5 oz can have about 150 mg of caffeine per serving. Its caffeine amount is comparable to the caffeine in about two 8 oz cups of coffee.
For me, one serving is already enough. If you are sensitive to caffeine, more than that can go from manageable to too much quickly.
Sparkling Cans
Flavors: Classic Gold, Cranberry Pomegranate, Grapefruit Ginger
The sparkling versions feel lighter on the palate, even though they still bring a noticeable caffeine kick. The fizz makes them drink more like soft drinks than tea.
A 12 oz can contain about 80 to 120 mg of caffeine.
They still sit stronger than many traditional teas, so I keep them in the same pace-yourself category.
The organic fruit juices do most of the softening, rounding out the herbal edge.
Low Sugar and Unsweetened Sparkling Cans
Flavors: Blackberry Mint, Lima Limon
These are the versions I would check first if sugar matters to you. They stay relatively light on sugar, calories, and caffeine.
A 12 oz can have only 80 mg of caffeine. That’s just half of the caffeine amount of the Guayakí Yerba Mate energy drink.
That makes them a practical middle ground when I want mate flavor without the strongest cans.
Terere Bottles
Flavors: Unsweetened Traditional, Traditional, Passion, Raspberry, Mint
The brewed Yerba Mate bottles, formerly called Tereré, are non-carbonated and brewed, so they drink more like straight tea than the canned versions. The caffeine stays in the same general neighborhood.
It has 140 mg of caffeine per 16 oz bottle. Since it’s highly caffeinated, it’s not recommended for those who can’t consume too much caffeine.
Loose Leaf and Tea Bags
If I want the plainest version, this is where I start.
It skips the fruit juice and herbal extras, so the mate character shows more clearly.
Each serving (1 tea bag or 1 cup) contains about 40 mg of caffeine.
The caffeine is a little lower than some other variants, but it still gives me a lift without carbonation.
Flavor | Caffeine (mg) | Size Available |
|---|---|---|
Guayaki Yerba Mate Tea Bags/ Loose Leaf | 40mg | 1 tea bag |
Revel Berry | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Lemon Elation | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Tropical Uprising | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Bluephoria | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Enlighten Mint | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Orange Exuberance | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Peach Revival | 150 mg | 15.5 oz can |
Classic Gold | 80 to 120 mg | 12 oz can |
Blackberry Mint | 80 mg | 12 oz can |
Cranberry Pomegranate | 80 to 120 mg | 12 oz can |
Grapefruit Ginger | 80 to 120 mg | 12 oz can |
Lima Limon | 80 mg | 12 oz can |
Unsweetened Traditional | 140 mg | 16 oz bottle |
Traditional | 140 mg | 16 oz bottle |
Passion | 140 mg | 16 oz bottle |
Raspberry | 140 mg | 16 oz bottle |
Mint | 140 mg | 16 oz bottle |
Guayakí explained for Yerba Mate aficionados
If you have never tried yerba mate, my shorthand is “espresso of South America.”
That does not mean it tastes like espresso. I mean a caffeinated plant base that can feel just as strong as coffee.
Guayakí started in 1996 on the Cal Poly University campus, when Alex Pryor introduced yerba mate to his friend David Karr.
The brand story matters less to me than the label, but it helps explain how mate moved from a niche drink to a canned option.
That is part of why it is easy to find now.
Ingredients
With this many variants, I focus on the ingredients that actually change how the drink feels.
The first things I check are the caffeine source, sweeteners, fruit juice, herbs, and carbonation, because those are the details that change both flavor and how hard the drink seems to land.
Taste
If you have never tasted yerba mate, the flavor can be a surprise. Even Guayakí has an herbal edge that is not for everyone.
It is an acquired taste, mostly because the earthy, grassy side shows up first.
The closest comparison I reach for is coffee crossed with green tea, with a little sweetness and a green, grassy note underneath.
The fruit and herbs round it out, but the mate flavor stays underneath.
Health benefits
When people talk about yerba mate, the benefits section can sound bigger than what I can verify from the can. I set that aside and start with caffeine.
Thanks to its high caffeine content, this beverage can boost energy and mental focus. It can also enhance physical performance; that’s why it’s typically used as an alternative to energy drinks.
On top of that, it can also address several health problems like high blood pressure and help reduce cholesterol levels.
Even so, I treat it as a drink to use in moderation.
Too much caffeine can bring headaches, nausea, jitters, and insomnia, especially if you are sensitive to it.
A commonly cited daily guideline is 400 mg of caffeine, but I keep my own total lower when I have already had coffee or tea.
Guayakí Yerba Mate caffeine levels vs other drinks
I compare yerba mate with other caffeinated drinks by checking the serving size first. The numbers only make sense once the volume is clear.
Guayaki Yerba Mate vs coffee
Coffee varies by bean, roast, and brew method, but a typical 8 fl oz cup often lands between 80 and 150 mg.
That puts some Guayakí options in the same ballpark, so I do not file it as a light tea just because it comes from a plant.
Guayaki Yerba Mate vs energy drinks
With energy drinks, caffeine is usually the main reason people buy the can.
Guayakí sits in that same strong-drink lane for me.
The difference is the ingredient list: yerba mate, fruit juice, and herbal flavoring instead of the usual energy drink formula.
Here is the caffeine content of three of the top-selling energy drinks:
FAQs
Is Guayaki Canned Yerba Mate kosher?
On the label, Guayakí Canned Yerba Mate is listed as certified kosher.
Is Guayaki Canned Yerba Mate safe for pregnant women?
Yes, studies suggest that drinking yerba mate is safe for pregnant women, but be sure to drink it moderately. Pregnant women should consume no more than 200 mg of caffeine per day.
Can I brew Guayaki Canned Yerba Mate like traditional Yerba Mate?
Guayakí Canned Yerba Mate is already brewed, so I treat it like a ready-to-drink can rather than something to prepare.
Is Guayaki Canned Yerba Mate vegan-friendly?
Some Guayakí canned variants are not vegan: Enlighten Mint contains honey, so the canned product line should not be described universally as vegan or free of animal products.
Conclusion
If I want an energy boost, Guayakí Yerba Mate can fit that role. I use the same caffeine check I would with coffee, just with a different flavor profile.
I still watch the total, especially after other caffeinated drinks, because too much can bring the usual caffeine side effects.
