Expired yerba mate – can you still drink it? How long it lasts and how to store it properly?

If there’s an unopened pack of yerba mate sitting at the back of your cupboard for months – or even years – you’re not alone! Many people wonder: is it okay to drink expired mate tea? Is old yerba mate destined for the bin, or could it still make a flavourful brew? In this article, we’ll dispel all doubts about how long yerba mate stays good, how to store it properly, and how to take care of your stash. Read on to avoid disappointment at your next brewing session and make sure you get the most flavour out of every leaf!

Summary:

1. The story of a forgotten yerba mate
2. Expired yerba mate – is it really unfit for drinking?
3. How long does yerba mate stay good? It depends on storage conditions
4. How to store yerba mate to keep it fresh for longer?
5. When is yerba mate mate truly unfit for drinking?

A story from the kitchen cupboard – the tale of a forgotten yerba mate

Imagine it's a Saturday morning. You wake up slowly and feel it’s the perfect day to indulge in some calm rituals with yerba mate. You reach for your favourite bombilla and mate gourd, turn on the water, pour it into the kettle and heat it to 70°C. You're already imagining your first sips of the pleasantly stimulating brew… but suddenly – uh-oh. The tin is almost empty, just dust and crumbs left inside. Don’t panic – you’ve still got a spare pack "for a rainy day".

You rummage through the cupboards and finally find a forgotten, still sealed pack. But then you check the date – turns out the yerba mate is past its expiration date... by nearly eight months! Now what? Throw it away? Brew it anyway? Is it still enjoyable?

If this scene sounds familiar – fear not, you are not alone. We're about to tell you how to handle such situations and what you should consider before making your next infusion.

Expired yerba mate – is it really unfit for drinking?

Wondering whether expired yerba mate is still safe to drink? Contrary to popular fears, the answer is often yes – but only if it’s been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage.

Let's start with the clarification of the term "expiry date" itself, which often causes confusion. Most yerba mate producers mark their products with one of two types of date labels:

• "best before" – indicates the product’s minimum durability date,
• "use by" – refers to perishable items that must be consumed before a specific date.

In the case of yerba mate – a plant-based product that is dried – the label typically used is the minimum durability date ("best before"). This does not mean the product becomes harmful or unsafe after this date. It merely signals that after this point, the manufacturer no longer guarantees peak quality such as flavour or aroma.

What do the regulations say?

Although legal regulations vary by country, international standards for food labelling are fairly consistent. For example:

• In the European Union, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the Parliament and of the Council clearly differentiates between "best before" and "use by" dates.
• Similar rules apply in the United States (FDA), Canada, Australia, and most South American countries – the main sources of yerba mate sold globally.

In practice, this means that if your yerba mate has a "best before" date, and has been stored in a dry, cool, sealed condition, it may still be safe for consumption even long after the date – but it might not taste or work as well as it did when fresh.

On the other hand, "use by" dates – rarely seen on mate tea – should be strictly adhered to, as they reflect food safety limits (e.g. potential microbial contamination).

Yerba mate labels – what to look out for?

When buying yerba mate, it’s worth checking not only the packaging or origin country, but also the date information on the label. Here’s what you’re likely to find:

• "Best before" / "fecha de vencimiento" (in Spanish) – this minimum durability date is usually printed on the bottom or heat seal of the package.
• Batch number – allows you to track a specific production run.
• Production date – an additional indicator that can help estimate the "freshness" of your leaves.

Some packs also feature storage tips, such as: “Store in a cool, dry place”, or “Keep away from moisture and sunlight”. These are valuable guidelines that should be treated as essential if you want to maintain the quality of your mate – and they can help avoid taste deterioration even before the "expiry" date.

The following sections provide practical storage tips and explain exactly how long yerba mate retains its flavour and health benefits depending on the conditions – happy reading!

How long does yerba mate stay good? It depends on storage conditions

Many people ask themselves: how long can yerba mate be stored and how long is it “good”? The answer isn’t always straightforward. The duration for which yerba mate maintains its flavour, aroma and functional properties doesn’t solely depend on the date on the packaging, but rather on whether it has been properly stored in your cupboard, drawer or pantry.

As a mixture of dried leaves, twigs and dust from the Ilex paraguariensis plant, yerba mate contains very little moisture – and it’s this water content that most influences the spoilage rate in food products. This means that yerba mate can remain suitable for consumption far beyond its minimum durability date – provided a few key storage conditions are met, which we’ll explain below.

If these conditions have been met, yerba mate can still taste pleasant and aromatic even 2 to 3 years after production. For already opened packages, it’s recommended to use the leaves within 6-12 months, although this greatly depends on storage conditions.

In the next section, we’ll go over practical storage tips for yerba mate – what type of containers to use, what to avoid, and where to place your stash so it stays fresh for longer. If you care about full flavour and aroma – proper storage makes all the difference. Read on to find out how!

Yerba mate storage – what to do to keep it fresh longer?

You now know that proper yerba mate storage is key to preserving the infusion’s full aroma, flavour and properties. Even the finest leaves sourced from South America will lose their quality if you don’t follow some basic rules. Fortunately, creating the ideal “home storage” for mate tea isn’t difficult. All it takes is a bit of know-how and the right containers.

Below you'll find a step-by-step practical guide, explaining how to store yerba mate safely and in a way that helps retain its freshness and quality – so it can taste just as good months after opening as it did on day one.

Whatever container you choose, always make sure it’s dry and clean before transferring your leaves. If you collect different yerba mates, store them separately to prevent flavours and aromas from mixing.

You now know all the key rules of proper yerba mate storage. In the final section of this article, we’ll sum up when yerba mate truly becomes undrinkable and how to spot the warning signs. With our tips, you’ll avoid unpleasant surprises and confidently decide what’s still brewable – and what should go straight to the bin.

When is yerba mate truly unfit for drinking?

Yerba mate past its best-before date doesn’t necessarily belong in the bin. In many cases, if stored well, you can still enjoy its flavour and benefits. But how do you know when yerba mate has clearly gone off? There are some definite warning signs that should never be ignored.

Here are the clues it’s time to say goodbye to that old pack – and why it’s best to play it safe.

• Unpleasant musty smell – if you notice a scent like a damp cellar, mould or fermentation, the mate has likely spoiled.
• Visible mould or discolouration – even slight white, grey or greenish patches mean it should be thrown out.
• Clumping or moist texture – if the leaves are sticky or damp, they may have absorbed too much humidity and be tainted.
• Presence of insects or larvae – these can appear with improper or unsealed storage.
• Off-putting, metallic or sour taste after brewing – anything that drastically differs from your brand’s usual profile.

All the signs above are serious red flags: don’t compromise your health – even if it’s your favourite blend! Seasoned mate drinkers might be reluctant to throw away a cherished pack, but remember: safety should always come first.

You now know everything essential about yerba mate and shelf life – from regulations, through storage, to quality checks. You can now make informed decisions about what to drink and what to replace. Store your stash with care, and your mate tea will reward you with flavour and energy for many sessions to come.

And if you decide it’s finally time to open a new bag – check out the range in our shop – we have fresh yerba mate in various flavours, from different origins, for all experience levels. Until next time – happy brewing!

Sources of information:

1. Wikipedia: Mate (infusión).
2. C.I. Heck, E.G. De Mejia, Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations, Journal of Food Science, 2007.
3. S. Surkan, O. Albani, L. Ramallo, Influence of storage conditions on sensory shelf life of yerba mate, Journal of Food Quality, 2009.