How do you start drinking mate?
Grab yourself a handful of mate. Add the herb into a frenchpress, teapot, or traditional gourd. Then add hot water (or make it cold). Wait a few minutes, then enjoy. The trappings include various materials, including wood, glass, ceramic and even silicone. The straw – or bombilla – has a screened filter to keep out any small bits of leaves.
Avoid drinking during the evening, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine. The drink (pronounced mah-teh) tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. The simplest method for many is to treat it like any other loose tea; steep it in hot water and then filter out the leaves before drinking.
What is Mate?
Mate is a small bush that produces evergreen leaves used to make tea. The plant is native to southern parts of South America. There are 4 main components that make up drinking it:
- Gourd – The basic cup (drinking device)
- Bombilla – metal straw
- Dried leaves
- Hot water
This caffeine-rich infused drink is made from dried leaves mixed with hot water. Leaves are dried, chopped and ground into a powder. It is then drunk through a metal straw (traditionally silver) known in Argentina as a Bombilla.
The culture is closely linked to the history of the Gauchos – the South American cowboy – who adopted drinking from the native Indian tribes of South America.
Some research shows it may help prevent cancer due to its compounds. In South America, some drink 1-2 liters daily. How much you drink depends on your preference. It seems to be an adaptogenic herb.
Despite having little caffeine, you should know the recommended daily amount. First, let’s overview the evidence-based mental and physical benefits.
It grows in South America. It’s used to make a popular tea-like beverage. Drinking involves 4 main components:
- Gourd
- Straw
- Leaves
- Water
Choosing Mate for Beginners
What is the best one for beginners?
Recommended for beginners: Piporé Con Palo and Playadito Con Palo. They have subtle sweetness, herbal tones and strong, bitter taste.
Our favorite combines great flavor with responsible production practices, reasonable pricing, and ease of use. This Cruz de Malta lets you discover the taste. I let it soak 10 minutes to extract nutrients and caffeine.
Getting a Buzz from Mate
Do you get a buzz from it?
It is a caffeine-rich infused drink made from dried leaves called yerba mate mixed with hot water. To prepare:
- Add leaves to a gourd, cup or French press
- Moisten with cool water
- Add hot (not boiling) water between 65-80 °C
- Let sit for 4-10 minutes
- Drink through a metal straw (bombilla) which filters out leaves
Enjoy alone or share with friends. Can add herbs to flavor. Provides caffeine boost. Popular daily drink in parts of South America.