With a coffee maker you can brew it in bulk. With it, you can easily prepare 10+ cups at a time. Whereas with a gourd and bombilla, you have to drink one at a time.
This tea contains caffeine, which can cause inability to sleep, nervousness and restlessness, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, and increased heart rate.
Origins and Effects
Grown in South America, this South American tea is famed for its energy-boosting properties. Each cup has roughly 70 mg of caffeine, giving you coffee’s effects without the jittery slowdown when it wears off.
In Coffeedesk you will find everything to start your adventure with this infusion – classic versions, naturally flavored ones, and even in bags.
I drank smoothies with it 16 hours ago. I figured it would be a nice way to get a jolt of energy to pull me through the day, and it certainly did.
It gives you an energy boost without the coffee crash, provides cancer-fighting antioxidants, helps you lose weight, promotes digestion and keeps your heart healthy.
Preparation Methods
Any machine or device you already use for coffee or teas will get the job done.
Treat it like any other tea; steep it in 170°F water and filter out the leaves before drinking.
It can regulate the body’s systems. It has the same caffeine as coffee but doesn’t make you jittery or crash later.
Whether you prepare it traditionally or with a French press, follow these guidelines: Cure your gourd first, then add it and shake to eliminate dust. Slowly add warm water and drink with bombilla. Add more hot water as you drink.
Details and Composition
It is produced from holly leaves from an evergreen plant native to only a few regions in South America. The brilliance of it is it contains all three stimulants. The xanthines, along with many other nutrients, are released into the body separately. This is why it provides a consistent vigor without the side effects of caffeine alone.
Drinking it very hot at temps of 65 C is connected to higher cancer risks, likely due to carcinogens. Too much caffeine can also cause migraines, high blood pressure, and sleep issues.
It is a traditional South American drink made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s similar to tea – the leaves are dried over a fire and then brewed into either a hot or cold beverage. It provides an energy boost like coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients.
The indigenous peoples of South America have consumed it for centuries, calling it "the drink of the gods." European settlers later referred to it as "the green gold of the Indios." It’s most commonly served in a gourd and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla.
It has an earthy, grassy, woodsy flavor, with hints of fruit like apple or citrus. It can be enjoyed hot or cold. The tea offers numerous health benefits: it contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and has compounds that provide an energy boost.
Recommended Brands
Taragui is one of the oldest brands on the market. Playadito consists of thick-cut leaves with a low amount of dust so it can be used with any type of bombillas. This is the top recommended brand for beginner & moderate drinkers. Overall it’s a delicious tea; an absolute top quality brand of Mate with great flavoring.
La Merced De Campo hides unique features that will make it a nice addition to a shelf of any mate drinker. Unprecedentedly long durability, very balanced classic taste and sustained energy make this tea perfect for productivity and a great introduction to what mate is all about — delicious earthy taste and long-lasting benefits of clear mind and non-overwhelming energy.
Health Warnings
Drinking it very hot at temps of 149 degrees F or warmer (65 C) is connected to higher cancer risks. Pregnant women should speak to their doctors before drinking it. Too much caffeine increases miscarriage risk and also the risk of low birth weight.