A 330 ml can of We Mate contains around 70 mg of caffeine. That puts it comfortably below a cup of coffee and above a cup of tea - a moderate, everyday amount that gives you a real lift without tipping into "too much."
Yerba mate vs coffee, tea and energy drinks
Here's roughly how a serving compares:
- Espresso (single shot): ~63 mg
- Filter coffee (cup): ~95 mg
- Black tea (cup): ~47 mg
- Green tea (cup): ~30 mg
- Cola (330 ml): ~35 mg
- We Mate (330 ml can): ~70 mg
So a can of We Mate sits between tea and coffee - enough to feel it, not enough to leave you wired.
Why mate's caffeine feels different
Yerba mate doesn't just deliver caffeine. It also contains theobromine, the mild, longer-acting stimulant found in cacao. Many people describe the combination as a smoother, steadier lift than coffee - less of a sudden spike followed by a crash. Pair that with the fact that We Mate has less sugar than sugary soft drinks, and there's much less of a sugar dip to ride out.
How much caffeine is safe?
European food-safety guidance (EFSA) considers up to 400 mg of caffeine a day from all sources safe for most healthy adults, and single doses up to 200 mg unlikely to be a concern. Pregnant and breastfeeding people are advised to stay under 200 mg a day. At ~70 mg per can, We Mate leaves you plenty of room - but count all your sources (coffee, tea, chocolate) across the day.
When to drink it
Because the lift is steady rather than sharp, mate is a great mid-morning or afternoon pick-me-up - the classic "Espresso at 9am, We Mate at 3pm." If you're sensitive to caffeine, keep it earlier in the day.
FAQ
Does yerba mate have more caffeine than coffee? Usually a little less per serving - a We Mate can (~70 mg) vs a coffee (~95 mg).
Is 70 mg of caffeine a lot? No - it's moderate, well within daily guidance for most adults.
Does yerba mate cause a crash? Less than sugary soft drinks: with less sugar than most sugary soft drinks and theobromine, the comedown is gentler for most people.
