Yerba Mate Drying Methods
Initially, all yerba mate is flash-heated over an open flame to drive the majority of the moisture out of the herb. After this intial stage, there is a lot of variation. The two main varieties are Smoked and Unsmoked.
In the Smoked (or bar-b-qua) method, the herb is exposed to smoke. This completes the drying process and imparts a smoky flavor. Different brands have different levels of smoky flavor, but they all may contain increased levels of PAH.
In the Unsmoked (or air-dried) method, the yerba mate is usually dried on a warm-air conveyor belt. This style produces a lighter taste and lower levels of PAH. EcoTeas yerba mate is unsmoked.