While I generally use this time and space to promote using whole, fresh ingredients and steer clear of packaged products, I do occasionally encounter a product that I think is SO wonderful that it would be a crime not to share it with all of you. Today, I'm going to do just that.

Yesterday, a dear friend introduced me to a new product on a line I'm already familiar with. New to us, anyway! I've been a fan of Guayaki's Yerba Mate  tea for years now, but I wasn't aware of their , a truly delicious blend of yerba mate, cocoa and spices. It also contains stevia, an herbal (read: no calorie!) sweetener.

would be a perfect substitute for your morning mocha, especially if you added a touch of chocolate almond milk after brewing. Because it contains no calories and less caffeine than your average cup of joe, it would also make for a great afternoon treat and help satisfy that sweet tooth at the same time!

They call it "blissful" and I'm inclined to agree. The cocoa flavor melds perfectly with the earthy mate, offering up enough chocolate-y goodness to sate your chocoholic cravings, but not so overwhelming as to offend to not-entirely-chocolate-crazed such as myself. The nutmeg, cinnamon and clove lends a "Mexican chocolate" aspect to the tea, and there's just enough stevia added that I didn't feel compelled to add anything- sweetener or soymilk- to my tea.

If you're not yet familiar with yerba mate in general, any of the Guayaki products would be a good introduction. Yerba mate is an herbal tea, but contains caffeine and has long been heralded as nature's most balanced stimulant, packed full of amino acids and antioxidants. It's also really yummy.