What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like? Here’s What to Expect

What does yerba mate taste like? Most people don’t know—and we get it. It’s earthy, bold, and totally unfamiliar if you’ve never tried it. So at Teko, we set out to change that with something new. Not by talking about taste, but by letting people experience it for themselves.

At Teko, we took the tradition of yerba mate and gave it a modern twist: fruit-forward flavors, no sugar, and just enough caffeine to lift you without a crash. But here’s the thing—we didn’t want to tell people it tastes good. We wanted to put it in their hands and see what they actually thought.

So we did.

We handed out samples of all four Teko flavors—Pineapple, Lemon, Peach Orange, and Passion Fruit. No context. No pitch. Just cold water, one stick, and honest feedback.

Some people had never tried yerba mate in their lives. Others thought it was too bitter or too strong. And yet, one by one, they drank the whole thing. Then looked surprised.

Most of the people we talked to weren’t energy drinkers. They weren’t into supplements or powdered mixes. Some only drank water. But nearly all of them said the same thing: This tastes clean. This feels real.

They described it as hydrating, light, and unexpectedly easy to drink. More than a few said they could see themselves swapping it in for whatever they usually grab on a hot day—iced tea, flavored water, maybe even their second coffee.

Does yerba mate taste good? If you’re thinking of the traditional loose-leaf brew, it depends who you ask.

But Teko? With its fruit-forward flavors, gentle lift, and real ingredients?

That’s a yes—from people who had no reason to say yes.

What does traditional yerba mate taste like?
Traditional yerba mate has an earthy, grassy, and slightly bitter flavor. It's an acquired taste for many, especially when brewed hot with loose leaves.

It can be! Classic yerba mate is naturally bitter, especially when consumed plain. That’s why Teko blends it with real fruit flavors to make it more refreshing and approachable.

Teko tastes clean, fruity, and light. With flavors like Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Lemon, and Peach Orange, it’s way more drinkable than traditional mate—no bitterness, no sugar, just real ingredients.