Is it Air-Dried?

Nativa is 'Air-Dried' or 'Unsmoked' in that the modernized systems now used include methods to practically eliminate the direct contact with the ashes generated by the wood-burning fire oven used in drying the leaves.

Where is it from?

Nativa Yerba Mate comes from locally owned wild forests of yerba mate trees located in the sub-tropical rainforest in San Mateus, in the State of Parana, Brazil. This region of Brazilian-Ukranian owner-harvesters has been teaching their ecological harvesting practices for several generations. Ilex Paraguariensis (Yerba Mate, Cimarrao) accounts for 85% of the local economy. San Mateus is a beautiful place to visit, with flower-filled streets, middle-class lifestyle, and as safe as can be.

Is is sustainably harvested?

There is a Museo del Mate to educate on the plant's properties, history and natural harvesting processes required by the State to employ for sustainability. This includes allowing the trees to fully mature and only harvesting them every four years. This ensures the yerba mate forests' natural vitality and excellent flavor

What is the difference between the Suave and the Traditional blends?

Yerba Mate is much like wine in that it can vary in strength, flavor, caffeine levels and other nutrients depending on where it is grown. Female plants tend to be milder in flavor, and lower in caffeine. They are also relatively scarce in the areas where yerba mate is planted and cultivated, not wild-harvested, compared to the male plants. Nativa is proud to offer both a Traditional and Suave (Mild) blend

Are pesticides used?

Nativa comes from wild yerba mate forests. Our 2lbs Traditional and 1lb Suave are sourced from a Certified Organic portion of these forests. Our bulk yerba is also clean, but uses traditional forms of eliminating pests. This includes planting a complimenting pest-deterring match for the yerba mate tree. It also includes cultural traditions, such as the neighbor's sheep o mowing the lawn. Ancient trees naturally seed the new ones.

Nativa's strength is in maintaining the best possible flavor and quality consistency for this natural plant. Plantation (sun)-grown plants tend to be much stronger in flavor and have higher caffeine levels.

Below are images depicting the traditional steps in harvesting and preparing the leaves:


The earth is very rich in nutrients in the wild yerba mate forests.	Here yerba mate has grown wild for centuries.	100-year old yerba mate tree.	Younger trees sprout naturally alongside the ancient ones.	The yerba mate leaf.

After the harvest	Traditional leaf basket for carrying to the roasting facility.	Traditional drying method to rid the leaves of impurities. Nativa's systems now protect the leaves from the fire and ashes.	Traditional wooden drying room. Nativa's systems now protect the leaves from the fire and ashes.	At Nativa, we discard the bitter stems (palos).

We then grind the balance into the various cuts which comprise our terrific 100% pure blend of yerba mate leaves.	Since the yerba mate trees are native...	...they require no pesticides or fertilizers...	...only what is already there!