MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE

Posted on October 30, 2019 | Last updated February 9, 2025

MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
This is the Yerba Mate from the Dragon Tea series, a new release in 2019. Yerba Mate is a tea made from the leaves and small branches of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, which is consumed in countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay in South America.

This drink breaks the previous stereotype of "American teas being sweet."

MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE

Manufacturer	MONSTER ENERGY
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2.29 USD
Flavor	Tea
Total rating	★★★★☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 7,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE

The moment you open the can, the aroma of the tea leaves bursts out. Just like the Dragon Tea Green Tea, the scent of tea leaves is prominent, giving it a strong tea-like impression.
MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
The color is a dull yellow, similar to the gold dragon depicted on the can. It's a good match with the pre-pour image, and the visual is very pleasant (*´艸｀*).

Taking a sip, the bitterness and astringency of the Yerba Mate spread, along with a strong tea leaf aroma. The slight acidity and the tea fragrance that escapes through the nose make for a surprisingly authentic taste.

Since it's not a sweetened North American tea flavor, you can really enjoy the true taste of Yerba Mate. As you get used to it, the refreshing tea aroma and smooth flavor evolve, making it easy to drink and delicious. The initial tea leaf taste is quite impactful though (*´艸｀*).

The aftertaste fades almost completely, leaving behind only the tea aroma and a slight bitterness and astringency, but no residue, and there's no lingering aftertaste on the tongue. It’s perfect for drinking in the summer, and it pairs well with strong-flavored meals.

Energy Components of MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE

MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
It contains 155mg of caffeine, taurine, ginseng, carnitine, and Yerba Mate leaves. It's unclear exactly how much tea leaf is in it, but the noticeable bitterness and astringency suggest a decent amount.

In fact, I noticed that the solid tea extract particles were floating more than expected. They're not powdered, but clumped together (Σ(´∀｀；)).
MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
I haven't encountered this much clumped tea leaf in other cans, so it’s a bit unusual. However, most cans usually contain a more tolerable powdered form of tea.

Design of MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE

MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
The golden dragon. Personally, I think this color scheme works the best in the Dragon Tea series. Although, it does feel a bit off to see a Chinese dragon and characters on a Yerba Mate product (^_^;).

MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
The Dragon Tea logo shines in gold with a sparkling effect. The combination of white, black, and gold is just perfect.

With a black top and gold tab.
MONSTER ENERGY DRAGON TEA YERBA MATE
This color combination gives off a sense of luxury and exclusivity, and I really like it (●´ω｀●).

Although I felt some mismatch between the Chinese-like design of the can and the South American Yerba Mate tea, the contents were well executed. People who prefer the bolder flavors often found in Monster Energy might find it a bit lacking, but for a daily drink, it's a very well-made product. I would recommend the Dragon Tea series, including this Yerba Mate, to anyone who regularly drinks tea or black tea.