How Yerba Mate Extract is Made: Behind TruYerba’s Energy Boost
The Extraction Procedure of Yerba Mate: From Leaf to Energy
Yerba Mate, often called the “Green Gold of South America,” has been a source of natural energy and wellness for centuries. But how exactly does this humble leaf transform into the powerful caffeine extract that fuels your day in TruYerba Caffeine Gummies? Let’s take a closer look at the extraction process of Yerba Mate — a blend of tradition, science, and sustainability.
Step 1: Harvesting the Yerba Mate Leaves
The journey begins in the native forests and plantations of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, where Yerba Mate plants (Ilex paraguariensis) are cultivated. The leaves are typically hand-harvested to ensure the youngest, nutrient-rich leaves are selected, which contain higher concentrations of caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants.
Step 2: Drying & Aging
Once harvested, the fresh leaves undergo a quick heat treatment called “sapecado” — a rapid exposure to high temperatures to halt oxidation and preserve the green color and nutrients.
After this, the leaves are dried using wood-fire ovens or hot air dryers, reducing their moisture content. Traditional Yerba Mate is often aged for 6 to 12 months to enhance flavor. However, for extraction purposes, a shorter curing period is used to maintain a higher content of active compounds.
Step 3: Grinding & Milling
The dried leaves are then ground into a fine powder. This increases the surface area, making the extraction of active compounds like caffeine, polyphenols, and saponins more efficient in the next steps.
Step 4: Aqueous Extraction (Water-Based Extraction)
The powdered Yerba Mate is mixed with hot water (but not boiling) in controlled conditions to extract water-soluble compounds. This method mimics the traditional mate brewing process but is done on a larger, industrial scale with precise temperature and time control to maximize extraction efficiency.
Step 5: Filtration & Concentration
The extract undergoes filtration to remove plant residues, resulting in a clean liquid extract rich in caffeine, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
This liquid extract is then concentrated through evaporation under reduced pressure (low-temperature vacuum drying). This step ensures the bioactive compounds remain intact without degradation.
Step 6: Spray Drying (Powder Extract Form)
To convert the liquid extract into a stable, easy-to-use powder, it undergoes spray drying. The concentrated extract is sprayed into a hot-air chamber, rapidly drying into a fine powder that retains the natural profile of Yerba Mate’s active ingredients.
Step 7: Quality Testing & Standardization
The final extract is rigorously tested for:
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Caffeine content per gram.
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Presence of polyphenols and antioxidants.
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Purity and absence of contaminants.
Standardization ensures every batch delivers a consistent energy boost and health benefits.
Step 8: Formulation into TruYerba Gummies
Finally, the Yerba Mate extract powder is formulated into delicious, bite-sized TruYerba Caffeine Gummies, blended with natural flavors, fibers, and sweeteners — giving you a clean, convenient energy boost without jitters or crashes.
Conclusion
The extraction of Yerba Mate is a meticulous process that balances ancient tradition with modern science. At TruYerba, we ensure that every gummy you consume carries the pure essence of nature’s most balanced caffeine source.