What is South American Tea?
The South American tea is a traditional drink made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over a fire and then steeped in hot water to make the tea. It has a strong, earthy flavor with slightly bitter edges. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee but with less caffeine.
The South American tea grows as an evergreen holly plant native to parts of South America such as Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. The best tasting tends to come from leaves grown in the shade of the rainforest. The seeds need to first pass through the digestive system of specific birds in order to germinate properly. This makes commercial cultivation more difficult and the herb more precious.
History and Culture
The South American tea was originally consumed by chewing the plant’s leaves. Over time it became popular to make a tea from the leaves that was enjoyed by South American cowboys and other workers. It provides many evidence-based health benefits, both mental and physical.
Drinking the South American tea is a social tradition in South America. Sharing mate from a gourd with a metal straw is a sign of friendship. The gourd is passed around between people, which creates a sense of camaraderie.
Production Process
The South American tea is made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over fire and then brewed with hot or cold water.
This drink continues to represent the culture and traditions of countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay where it is very popular. The indigenous Guaraní people first consumed it in Paraguay after considering it a gift from the gods. The plant only grows in subtropical forests of South America. The leaves are still hand trimmed and then dried, ground, and aged nine to 24 months before being sold. With more antioxidants than other tea drinks, it is said to support weight loss, concentration, and digestion.
- The South American tea provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients. It has many evidence-based mental and physical health benefits.
- The South American tea caffeine gives the effects of coffee without the jittery slowdown when the coffee wears off. Each cup has roughly 70 mg of caffeine.
- It is incredibly rich in vitamins and minerals.
Enjoying the South American tea can be a nice social event. It is also an excellent way of getting more energy to perform your physical exercise or to make it through a long workday. It typically contains less caffeine than coffee but more than most teas.
Best Brands
The South American tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over a fire, then infused in hot water to make the tea. This tea is typically consumed from a container called a gourd and sipped with a metal straw that filters the leaf fragments floating on the surface.
What is the best brand to try? There are hundreds of different brands. With four different types and hundreds of brands, it’s hard to choose. You don’t want a brand that leaves a nasty, sour taste in your mouth. To avoid this, here is a list of five of the best brands, considered must-tries that most people will enjoy.
Some popular brands include:
- Rosamonte Special Selection – Smooth, relatively mild yet complex flavor. Good for beginners.
- Cruz De Malta – Bold taste with sweet, smoky tones. Favorite among Argentines.
- Guayakí – Top choice overall for beginner and moderate drinkers due to delicious flavoring.
- Ecoteas – Top pick for convenience of tea bags. Organic leaves grown sustainably.
Health Benefits
The South American tea has adaptogenic properties to regulate the body’s systems. It promotes calm like tea nutrients but, unlike green tea, contains caffeine for energy. The drink provides caffeine stimulation and health benefits.
When buying it, check organic brands on Amazon because they have a large, affordable selection of loose leaf teas. Favorites featured on Amazon include Cruz De Malta for its bold flavor and Rosamonte for its smooth yet complex taste.