Mate stays fresh for up to 6-12 months when properly stored. Simply leave it in its original packaging, sealing the opening as best as possible. Keep the bag in a cool, dry, dark area, away from extreme temperature changes. Room temperature is best. I’ve stored it on bookshelves for years and it works well.
When stored in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture, it lasts for up to one year or longer. Check the expiration date on the packaging too.
South American brands print expiration dates on bag sides or tops. How long the date is from packaging depends on the country of origin.
Properly stored mate lasts 1-2 years before spoiling. Check for musty/mouldy smells, discoloration, or taste changes. Discard spoiled mate.
Expiring mate changes to a stale odor, bitter taste, or discoloration. Expired mate becomes a fertilizer or compost. Refrigerating opened mate maintains freshness. Mate offers antioxidants and improved focus.
Properly stored mate lasts 1-2 years. Check for mold, smell, taste changes. Discard spoiled mate. Refrigerating mate in an airtight container maintains freshness and prevents bacterial growth. Freezing mate prevents freezer burn if stored in an airtight container.
Mate’s energy boost lasts minutes to hours depending on consumption. Effects fade after 2 hours. Avoid overdiffusing tea leaves to retain stimulating properties.
Mate is a species of the holly genus, with the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis A. It is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America, primarily in Paraguay, as well as in Argentina, Uruguay, southern and central-western Brazil, the Chaco region of Bolivia and southern Chile.
You can reuse mate, as long as you don’t see any mold or mildew growing. To ensure the best quality for reuse, it’s important to choose a high-quality brand that uses fresh leaves and follows proper processing techniques.
When drinking from a gourd you can refill it as many times as needed until all the flavor is gone. Depending on the gourd size and the amount used, this can range from 10 to 20 to even 30 refills. The traditional ritual is actually described in the name, Mate, which means “gourd herb”.
The shelf life depends on storage. Stored properly, it can last years without losing quality. The best way is leaving it in original packaging, sealing the opening. Store in a cool, dry, dark area, away from extreme temperature changes.
While mate products will typically have expiration dates on the packaging, it does not necessarily mean that you should throw your mate if it has expired.
Mate tea has a unique flavor that is often described as earthy, grassy, or floral. The tea contains caffeine, so it can provide a boost of energy like coffee. However, mate also contains other compounds that can produce different effects than coffee. The foam is the key indicator to understand if your mate is washed.
The mate plant is grown and processed in South America, specifically in northern Argentina (Corrientes and Misiones), Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, Paraná, and Mato Grosso do Sul).