Dried yerba mate leaves in a bowl with a bombilla – yerba mate in bulk, wholesale and private label

Yerba mate in bulk: loose mate for tea brands, drink producers and private label

Short answer: yerba mate consists of the dried, cut leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a holly species, traditionally prepared as an infusion. GOA Supply supplies yerba mate as loose tea in bulk, in 10, 50 and 100 kg, for tea brands, webshops, cafés and drink producers, and as private label. Mate naturally contains caffeine, and in the EU Novel Food Catalogue mate leaves are listed as not novel in food supplements and their aqueous infusions as not novel in food.

What is yerba mate?

Yerba mate comes from Ilex paraguariensis, an evergreen shrub or tree of the holly family. The leaves are dried and cut, and the result is prepared as an infusion, traditionally in a gourd with a metal straw (bombilla), but also as a tea bag ingredient, in blends or as a base for iced drinks. The taste is grassy and slightly bitter.

Mate is not tea in the botanical sense: tea comes from Camellia sinensis, mate from a different plant. For customs it also has its own heading, 0903 (maté). Our product page lists HS code 090300.

Yerba mate at GOA Supply: key facts

Item Product data
Product Yerba mate tea, bulk
Botanical name Ilex paraguariensis (leaf)
Form Dried, cut leaves (loose tea)
Taste Grassy, slightly bitter
Caffeine Naturally present, content on request
Characteristics Vegan
HS code 090300
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request
Typical business use Loose mate and tea blends under own label, cafés and food service, iced teas and other beverages

Yerba mate is part of our superfoods collection.

What to check when you buy yerba mate in bulk

  • Cut and stems. Mate is traded with and without stems (in Spanish "con palo" and "sin palo"), and in different cuts. Both affect taste, how the mate brews and how it fills a tea bag or pouch. Agree the cut on the specification and compare samples.
  • Caffeine content. Mate naturally contains caffeine. Ask for the content of the batch if you develop a drink or need the figure for your customers.
  • Moisture and odour. Dried leaves take up moisture and odours. Store bulk bags closed, cool and dry, away from strong-smelling goods, and reseal opened bags.
  • Documents. Ask for the specification and the certificate of analysis (CoA) of the batch, and check that the analysis covers pesticide residues under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and the microbiological parameters you need.
  • Use as raw material. If you want to make a concentrated mate extract yourself, check its status separately (see below).

EU rules for yerba mate

  • Novel food status: the EU Novel Food Catalogue lists the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis as not novel in food supplements, and non-concentrated aqueous infusions of the leaves as not novel in food. The entry concerns the leaves and their infusion; for concentrated extracts, check the status before use.
  • France: Compl'Alim lists the leaf of Ilex paraguariensis as an authorised plant for food supplements, with recommended label warnings based on an ANSES opinion. Check them if you declare a mate product in France.
  • Nutrition declaration: Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 exempts herbal infusions without added ingredients (other than flavourings that do not change the nutritional value) from the mandatory nutrition declaration.
  • Caffeine in drinks: Annex III of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 requires the statement "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women", with the caffeine content in mg/100 ml, for beverages with more than 150 mg/l caffeine. The exemption in that annex covers beverages based on coffee or tea whose name includes "coffee" or "tea". If you produce a ready-to-drink mate beverage, check with your competent authority how this applies to your product name.

Private label yerba mate

For private label, we supply yerba mate in bulk for your own packaging and labelling: loose mate in pouches or tins, your own tea blends, or mate as a raw material for iced tea production. As the brand owner, you are responsible for the label information, any claims and the choice of product name. Health claims are only allowed if they are authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. If you sell mate as a food supplement, for example in capsules, the national notification rules for food supplements apply; our guide to starting a private label supplement brand in the EU lists them per country. More about the process is on our private label page.

Ordering yerba mate in bulk

  • Standard quantities: 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request.
  • Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock.
  • Prices exclude shipping, and we can arrange transport.
  • Specification, CoA and caffeine content on request.

Ask for a quote via our wholesale page. If you also offer green tea, you can add one of our matcha and hojicha powders to the same quote.

FAQ

Is yerba mate a novel food in the EU?
No. The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists mate leaves as not novel in food supplements and non-concentrated aqueous infusions of the leaves as not novel in food.

In which form do you supply yerba mate?
As dried, cut leaves (loose tea) in 10, 50 or 100 kg. Smaller quantities are possible on request.

Does yerba mate contain caffeine?
Yes, mate naturally contains caffeine. The content of the current batch is available on request.

Which HS code applies to yerba mate?
Mate has its own heading in the Harmonized System, 0903. Our product page lists 090300. Check duties for your destination in TARIC.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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