Coffee has been the default morning caffeine source for a long time. Yerba mate is having a moment in the U.S. Both deliver caffeine. They're not the same thing. Here's the actual breakdown.

What is DRINK WEIRD?

All of the Energy. None of the Junk. DRINK WEIRD is a better alternative to energy drinks: organic tea and yerba mate with 160mg of organic caffeine, no artificial sweeteners or colors, and fantastic flavors that will make your taste buds jump in the mosh pit. We fuel the creatives, the chaos-makers, the wonderful weirdos, and anyone who wants a little energy boost without the baggage.

What is yerba mate?

Yerba mate is a traditional South American drink made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It's been consumed for centuries in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Traditionally it's brewed in a gourd (called a mate) and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, often shared between friends.

What is coffee?

Coffee comes from the roasted seeds of the Coffea plant, usually Coffea arabica or Coffea robusta. The seeds are roasted, ground, and brewed in hot water. Coffee originated in Ethiopia and spread across the world starting around the 15th century. Today it's the most consumed caffeinated beverage on the planet.

How are they different?

They come from different plants. Yerba mate is technically a tisane (a drink made from a plant that isn't true tea or coffee). Coffee is its own category. The leaves and seeds are processed differently, brewed differently, and taste different.

How do they taste?

Coffee tastes like coffee. Roasted, often bitter, with notes that depend on the bean and the roast. Light roasts can be fruity or floral. Dark roasts go smoky and bold.

Yerba mate tastes earthier and grassier, sometimes compared to green tea but with more body. Some people find it slightly bitter on its own. When it's blended with fruit or sweeteners (like in DRINK WEIRD's yerba mate cans), the bitterness mellows out and the herbal notes balance the flavor.

How much caffeine does each have?

An 8oz cup of brewed coffee typically contains around 80-100mg of caffeine. The exact amount depends on the bean, the roast, and the brewing method.

Yerba mate caffeine content varies more widely. A traditional gourd-brewed mate can range from roughly 30mg to 180mg per serving depending on how it's prepared. Ready-to-drink yerba mate cans vary by brand.

DRINK WEIRD contains 160mg of organic caffeine per 16oz can. That's in the range of a standard cup of brewed coffee.

Which one is better for you?

Both have caffeine. Both have a long history of human consumption. The "better" one depends on what you're looking for: flavor, ritual, convenience, or what you happen to enjoy. We're not going to tell you to give up coffee. We just want you to know yerba mate is also an option.

Can you replace coffee with yerba mate?

Plenty of people do. The caffeine ranges overlap. The flavor is different but yerba mate works hot or cold, sweetened or plain. If you're curious, the easiest way to try it is in a ready-to-drink format like DRINK WEIRD.

What about energy drinks?

Yerba mate is one of the cleaner ways to get caffeine in a can. Most energy drinks combine caffeine with other stimulants like taurine and guarana, plus a lot of sugar or artificial sweeteners. DRINK WEIRD is yerba mate or tea, organic ingredients, and 160mg of organic caffeine. No artificial sweeteners. No artificial colors.

How do I try yerba mate?

Easiest way: grab a can of DRINK WEIRD. We make four organic yerba mate flavors:

• Mystical Mint Yerba Mate
• Acai Pomegranate Yerba Mate
• Grateful Grapefruit Yerba Mate
• Magic Maté Lemonade

If you want to try multiple flavors at once, the Best Sellers Variety Pack includes all six of our flavors (yerba mates and teas).

Get weird, stay weird.