At Teko, we craft each yerba mate blend with purpose. That’s why we never use added sugar, and instead rely on a small, natural touch of stevia—also known in Paraguay as ka’a he’ẽ, or "sweet herb" in Guaraní.
This choice isn’t just about health or calories. It’s about honoring a plant with deep cultural roots—a plant that’s been used for centuries alongside yerba mate by the Guaraní people of Paraguay.
🌿 What Is Stevia?
Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) is a plant native to Paraguay and Brazil, known for its naturally sweet leaves. Its compounds—steviol glycosides—can be up to 300x sweeter than sugar, but without the crash, calories, or artificial additives.
Unlike lab-made sweeteners, ka’a he’ẽ is entirely plant-based and traditionally used in Guaraní medicine and tereré infusions. In Paraguay, it’s still common to see stevia leaves added directly into a guampa of cold yerba mate.
✨ The Story of Ka’a He’ẽ: The Sweet Herb of the Guaraní
Long before stevia hit health stores around the world, it was growing wild in Paraguay—harvested by the Guaraní people, who used it to sweeten herbal infusions and support digestion.
Ka’a he’ẽ wasn’t just a sweetener—it was part of a deeper wellness practice rooted in nature. Its gentle sweetness was used to balance the bitterness of strong herbs like yerba mate, while aligning with the Guaraní philosophy of natural harmony and healing.
🚫 Why We Don’t Use Sugar
We could’ve used sugar to sweeten Teko, but here’s why we didn’t:
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No Energy Crash: Sugar spikes energy, then drops it. Stevia keeps energy levels steady.
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No Hidden Calories: Our blends stay clean, light, and refreshing.
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No Artificial Ingredients: We don’t use sucralose or aspartame—just real herbs.
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Rooted in Culture: Using ka’a he’ẽ keeps us connected to the traditional Paraguayan way of drinking yerba mate.
🧊 Stevia in Teko: Subtle, Clean, and Balanced
We include just the right amount of stevia in every Teko stick to gently round out the earthy tones of yerba mate and enhance our real fruit flavors—like Passion Fruit, Peach Orange, Lemon, and Pineapple.
You won’t get a sugar rush. You won’t get a chemical aftertaste. Just clean refreshment, naturally sweetened.
💬 Final Thoughts
When we say “clean energy”, we mean it. At Teko, every stick of yerba mate honors the plants, people, and traditions of Paraguay—and that includes ka’a he’ẽ, the sweet herb that’s been trusted for generations.
This isn’t just a health decision. It’s a cultural one. One that keeps us grounded in the Paraguayan way of doing things—naturally, and with intention.
