Carbonated health drink 
MatēCo2 has rolled out in the Australian market, bringing the Latin American herb yerba mate to Aussies.
MatēCo2 founder Vivien Gerber created an version of the drink for Australia after moving from Germany, where it is also popular, and discovering that it wasn’t available here.
“I used to drink it everyday when I was in Germany and I loved it because it gave me a natural high without the side effects of caffeine or unnatural energy drinks,” she said.
“I missed it so much as I couldn’t get anything like it here and ordering it from overseas was a lengthy process, so I decided there was an opportunity to create it and share it with Australians. Yerba mate is already found in some energy drinks, but it is usually mixed and diluted with other stimulants and flavours. I wanted to create a drink [with] amazing health benefits and its unique refreshing flavour.
“We trialled a number of samples and taste tests with focus groups until we got the balance of sweetness and taste just right. We then found a local manufacturer in Victoria. Health focused cafes like RAW are loving an all-natural vitality drink without heavy stimulants.”
Gerber said that yerba mate provides energy boost similar to coffee, tea, kola nut, cocoa, and guarana, “yerba mate delivers the most balanced energy boost without all the side effects.”
MatēCo2 is now available in 26 health cafes across the country and online.
