Yerba Mate is a small tree native to the subtropical highlands of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. The drink is brewed from dried leaves and stemlets of this perennial tree. Yerba mate has a slight bitter taste due to the high tannin content of the leaves. As with other bitter beverages such as black coffee, beeer ot tea, straight yerba mate is an acquired taste for some consumers. Just like coffee or tea, it is perfectly ok to add some type of sweetener or fruit flavouring.