Move over, matcha lattes. A new—though ancient—herbal infusion is quietly rewriting the city’s caffeine rituals. Yerba Yerba, Singapore’s first cafe entirely dedicated to yerba mate, has opened on Bali Lane, giving curious locals a slower, steadier buzz rooted in South American tradition.
What is Yerba Mate?
This earthy, herbal drink is a way of life in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. Unlike the sharp spike and inevitable crash of coffee, mate offers a smooth, sustained energy lift thanks to a unique profile of caffeine and antioxidants. It is made by steeping dried leaves of the yerba mate plant in water and traditionally sipped from a gourd through a metal straw called a bombilla, which has a built-in filter.
Ben Loong’s Lab of Love
Before Yerba Yerba, finding mate in Singapore meant scouring online forums and connecting with niche hobbyists. Enter Ben Loong, a 38-year-old ceramicist and Lasalle College of the Arts teacher. His passion project brings together a love of mate and his own craft. The cafe doubles as a gallery for his handiwork—the gourds and plates used in service are his own creations, many of which are available to buy.
The space is part of Commongoods, a retail concept shared with a friend who runs a yakitori joint downstairs, creating a mini-destination for artisanal curiosities.
The Convert
A former coffee purist, Loong was won over by an Argentinian friend. “The first sip left a surprisingly strong positive impression,” he says. Three years later, he drinks mate daily and has largely swapped out coffee, save for an occasional local kopi o peng.
This hands-on passion translates directly to the tightly curated menu, which is designed to guide beginners while satisfying purists.
For Beginners: Cold Brews ($5–$9)
The gentlest entry point is the cold brew selection. Milder and far less bitter than the hot preparation, these are customisable with oat milk ($7), cinnamon ($8), or herbal infusions like chamomile and mint ($9). The “El Clasico” ($5) is a pure, cold-steeped mate.
For Purists: Traditional Service ($16)
This is the heart of the experience. It includes a gourd of loose-leaf mate and a kettle of 70°C water, yielding eight to ten refills. Loong sources his supply from Every Good Thing, a local online specialist. Guests choose from four blends: two Argentinian (Cruz de Malta, Porongo) and two Brazilian (Rei Verde Premium, Canarias Edición Especial).
How to Brew Like a Pro
Loong emphasises that brewing mate is a deliberate, meditative process.
- Fill a gourd with about 25 grams of leaves.
- For powdery blends, shake the gourd to remove excess dust.
- Tilt the gourd so the leaves form a slope.
- Pour 70°C water slowly onto the bottom of the slope, wetting only the lower leaves.
- Insert the bombilla into the dry side. Do not stir or agitate the leaves for the rest of the session.
The first steep is often grassy and slightly astringent. Patience is rewarded. By the third or fourth refill, the flavour transforms, becoming malty, creamy, and subtly sweet. Loong recommends pairing it with his house-baked mate chocolate chip cookie ($2.50).
From Curiosity to Community
Yerba Yerba is still a hidden gem, drawing a small but passionate local crowd. “Some first-timers even ask if it’s legal,” Loong says. It is—Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has posted about it on Instagram, and the Argentinian embassy has helped spread the word.
Loong’s goal is to demystify mate and slowly build a local culture around it. He plans to expand the cold brew recipes and host community workshops. For now, Yerba Yerba offers a rare chance to discover a ritual that has fuelled South America for centuries. Whether you are chasing a cleaner caffeine fix or simply a new daily ritual, it is a compelling reason to slow down.
Yerba Yerba
31A Bali Lane, Singapore 189867
Wed–Thu: 1pm–6pm | Fri–Sun: 1pm–7pm