Yerba mate: Nutrient levels and quality of the beverage depending on the harvest season

Yerba mate is one of the most consumed teas in South America. However, studies on the nutrient composition are rare. Hence, this study investigated total and hydrosoluble nutrient content levels of yerba mate regarding two harvest seasons. The experiment was performed at the Canguiri Experimental Farm (Pinhais, Brazil). For the present study, 30 trees were sampled in two blocks. The total and hydrosoluble nutrient contents in leaves and in the prepared Chimarrão (70% leaf and 30% branches) were chemically analyzed. All plants were nutritionally indicated for tea consumption. Leaves of yerba mate sampled in the main harvest season had highest total nutrient contents, while leaves sampled in the secondary harvest season had higher contents of hydrosoluble nutrients. The daily consumption of mate tea has no adverse impacts on human health; in addition, leaves sampled in the secondary harvest season contributed more hydrosoluble nutrients to RDI.