Mate dulce – sweet yerba mate. With what and how to sweeten it?

Yerba mate is traditionally associated with an intense, bitter flavour, but not everyone knows that in South America, it is often enjoyed in a sweet version as well. Mate dulce – sweet yerba mate – is a great alternative for those who prefer milder flavours or are just beginning their adventure with this infusion. But what can you sweeten mate tea with so it doesn’t lose its properties and still tastes delicious? There are many ways – from classic sugar to natural sweeteners and fruity additives. In this article, we’ll guide you through ways to sweeten yerba mate in the simplest – and healthiest – manner!

Summary:

1. Sweet yerba mate – a tradition gaining followers
2. Yerba mate with sugar – a classic way to sweeten the flavour
3. Natural sweeteners for yerba mate – a healthy alternative!
4. Fruits and herbs – natural sweetness in yerba mate
5. How to sweeten yerba mate – practical methods

Sweet yerba mate – a tradition gaining followers

Yerba mate is characterised by a rather intense, bitter taste, which not everyone immediately takes to. That’s why many people, especially beginners, look for ways to soften the strong flavour of the infusion – one of the simplest options is to sweeten it. It’s a great way to ease into the world of yerba mate and gradually get accustomed to its unique flavour.

In South America, sweet yerba mate, or mate dulce, is a popular choice – especially in Argentina and Paraguay. Caramelised sugar, honey or other sweeteners are added to the infusion, making mate tea milder and more palatable. Interestingly, some traditional mate dulce preparations include milk instead of water, a dash of shredded coconut, cinnamon and orange peel – giving the drink an entirely new character.

If you’re wondering how to sweeten yerba mate and what is the best way to do it, we’ve got some intriguing suggestions for you. They’ll show you a whole new, sweeter side of this one-of-a-kind beverage!

Yerba mate with sugar – a classic way to sweeten the flavour

One of the simplest and most popular ways to sweeten yerba mate is by adding sugar. Yerba mate with sugar is particularly common in Argentina, where white or brown cane sugar is mixed with the dried leaves. Sugar dissolves quickly in the infusion and tones down its bitterness, making it more pleasant to the taste, especially for those new to this drink.

If you’d like to try yerba mate with sugar, simply add a small amount to your mate gourd before pouring in water or stir it into the prepared infusion. Keep in mind, though, that too much sugar can overpower the natural flavour of yerba mate and make the drink overly sweet.

Natural sweeteners for yerba mate – a healthy alternative!

Although sweetening yerba mate with sugar is the simplest and most traditional way to soften the infusion’s taste, it’s worth considering healthier and more natural alternatives. Sweet additions to yerba mate can not only reduce its bitterness but also enrich it with added nutritional value and interesting flavour notes.

In South America, yerba mate with honey is particularly popular, but it’s not the only option. Stevia and xylitol are excellent sugar substitutes that offer a sweet taste without all the calories. Here are the best ways to sweeten yerba mate with natural sweeteners:

• 🍯 Honey – sweetness with added benefits
  

  Honey is one of the most natural and healthiest ways to sweeten yerba mate. In addition to imparting pleasant sweetness to the brew, it also provides valuable vitamins and minerals, supports immunity and has antibacterial properties. It’s worth trying various types of honey – acacia honey adds lightness, buckwheat honey introduces deeper, slightly caramel tones, and linden honey gives a mildly floral aroma.

  If you’d like to try yerba mate with a honey note, try the ready-made blend CBSé Miel. This aromatic yerba mate is enriched with natural honey flavouring that mellows the bitterness and gives the drink a gently sweet taste. It’s a great choice for those who appreciate subtle sweet notes but don’t want to add honey themselves.

• 🌱 Stevia – sweet and calorie-free
  

  Stevia is a plant-based sweetener that is tens of times sweeter than sugar, yet contains no calories. It’s ideal for people watching their weight or reducing sugar intake. Note that stevia has a distinctive, slightly liquorice-like aftertaste, so it's best used in small quantities to avoid overwhelming the yerba mate’s flavour.

  For those who want an instantly balanced sweet yerba mate, a great choice is CBSé Endulife Con Stevia. This blend combines traditional yerba mate leaves with natural stevia, making the infusion milder and more enjoyable – without additional calories or the need to sweeten on your own.

• 🌳 Xylitol – subtle sweetness of birch sugar
  

  Xylitol, also known as birch sugar, is a great alternative to traditional sugar. It has about 40% fewer calories and a much lower glycaemic index, meaning it doesn’t cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Its mildly cooling flavour pairs perfectly with yerba mate, reducing bitterness without overpowering the natural aroma of the drink.

What else can you sweeten yerba mate with? Fruity and herbal notes

Not everyone enjoys adding sugar, honey or other sweeteners to yerba mate. Fortunately, there are also other natural ways to reduce the intense bitterness of this beverage. You might be surprised to learn that dried fruits, herbs or spices can bring subtle sweetness and unique aroma to yerba mate, giving the infusion an entirely new character!

• 🍏 Dried fruits – natural sweetness straight from nature
  
  • Apple – gently sweet, slightly tangy, adds a light touch to yerba mate.
  • Orange and lemon – bring a sweet-and-sour flavour and citrusy freshness that pairs well with classic leaves.
  • Pineapple and mango – tropical fruits beautifully highlight yerba mate’s natural notes with an exotic twist.

💡 How does it work? Dried fruits gradually infuse sweetness into the drink, making yerba mate milder and more pleasant in flavour. You can add fruits yourself or try pre-made fruit-enhanced yerba mate blends. We recommend:

• Yaguar Berryland – with dried berries: raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants
• Verde Mate Green Verano – with dried apple
• Guarani Naranja – with orange peel
• 🌿 Herbs and spices – subtle sweetness with no calories
  
  • Liquorice – known for its natural sweetening properties, adds light, anise-like notes to the infusion.
  • Vanilla – its gentle, creamy aroma complements yerba mate beautifully with a touch of sweetness.
  • Cinnamon – mildly spicy yet sweet, warms the flavour and adds harmony to the drink.
  • Anise and fennel – aside from subtle sweetness, they help with digestion and enrich yerba mate with a pleasant herbal aroma.

💡 Fun fact: Many ready-made yerba mate blends contain herbal additives that make the infusion milder and slightly sweeter. Try different combinations to find your favourite! We recommend:

• Soul Mate Orgánica Anís – organic yerba mate with added anise, which brings a mildly sweet, aniseed aroma. A perfect choice for those who prefer a gentler taste without added sugar.
• Yaguar Hierbas Pampeanas – a unique yerba mate blend with fennel, chamomile and anise. These ingredients naturally sweeten and ease the bitter edge of the infusion.

How to sweeten yerba mate? Two simple methods

Now that you know various ways to sweeten yerba mate, let’s explore how to add sweeteners to the infusion to achieve the best taste. Yerba mate can be sweetened in two ways – depending on the form of sweetener used and the result you’re aiming for.

Method #1: Adding sugar or sweetener directly to the leaves

The first way to sweeten yerba mate is to mix sugar, xylitol, stevia or another powdered sweetener directly with the leaves before pouring in water. This allows the sweetener to blend evenly into the infusion, giving it a consistent sweetness from the first sip.

How to do it?

1. Pour yerba mate leaves into the mate gourd as usual.
2. Add a spoon of sugar, xylitol or other chosen sweetener. Feel free to adjust the amount based on your preferences.
3. Gently shake the gourd to mix the sweetener with the leaves.
4. Pour in water at the proper temperature and enjoy your sweet infusion!

Method #2: Dissolving honey or syrup in warm water

Liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or molasses are best dissolved in a small amount of warm water before being added to the yerba mate. This method avoids thick residues at the bottom of the gourd and ensures the whole drink takes on a delicate, harmonious sweetness.

How to do it?

1. Pour warm water into a separate container.
2. Add a teaspoon of your chosen sweetener and stir until fully dissolved.
3. Then use this solution to pour over the yerba mate leaves in the mate cup.

Not sure which method of sweetening yerba mate to choose? Here’s a comparison table summarising sweetness, health benefits and taste profiles:

Is drinking sweet yerba mate worth it?

Sweet yerba mate, or mate dulce, is an excellent option for those looking to soften the natural bitterness of the infusion and enjoy a milder flavour. Whether you go for classic yerba mate with sugar, honey, stevia or fruity additions, you can discover a whole new side of this unique beverage.

However, bear in mind that extra sweeteners – especially sugar and syrups – can increase the calorie content of yerba mate! So if you're drinking this South American infusion for its health and energising properties, it’s wise to use sweet additions in moderation or choose healthier alternatives like stevia or xylitol.

Regardless of your taste preferences, in our shop you'll find a wide selection of yerba mate and blends enriched with additives that will make every sip a true delight! Experiment, try different methods and find your favourite way to enjoy sweet yerba mate!

Sources of information:

1. Wikipedia: Mate (infusión).
2. C.I. Heck, E.G. De Mejia, Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations, Journal of Food Science, 2007.