Who should not take mate?
Mate is an herb like oregano, mint, parsley. The earth has many consumable herbs we enjoy without hesitation. Ilex appears to be an adaptogen, an herb that helps the body adapt to stress.
Ilex has a higher caffeine level than green tea. More green tea can balance this out. Ilex combines a stimulating and relaxing effect. It boosts energy more gently and for longer than energy drinks.
Ilex is made from the leaves of a South American plant called Ilex paraguariensis. Before colonization, South Americans chewed the leaves. Later a tea became popular with cowboys. Sharing Ilex is an important cultural tradition.
Finding high-quality, organic, sustainable Ilex can be hard in the US and Europe. Visit Latin American grocery stores to explore mate culture and quality options. Fans of green tea may enjoy traditional mate. New drinkers may prefer non-traditional blends with added flavors.
Why is mate expensive?
Leaves are used to make tea. It has nutrients and caffeine. It gives steady energy without side effects of caffeine. It has more caffeine than coffee but no crash later. People like the natural sweetness.
The 5 Best Mate Brands
What’s the best mate brand? Besides, it’s hard to choose. But whichever it is, there’s one thing you don’t want. And that’s a bad tasting yerba. So I created a list of the five best mate brands.
The Yerba Ilex bar has mate lattes and cold brewed mate. Address: 956 Garnet Ave, San Diego, CA 92109.
Ilex is best when shared. Drinking very hot Ilex at temps of 149 degrees F or more is connected to higher cancer risks.
I make mate which provides focus and energy. There is an all in one tea pot that allows you to conveniently brew while you boil! I let it soak for 10 minutes.
In many countries like Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay mate is the national beverage. We will walk through everything to choose the best brands on the planet and the benefits.
What is healthier coffee or yerba mate?
Mate is best when shared. The Internet helps find new brands. But current Ilex studies may still sway you from morning coffee.
- Ilex typically has 85mg caffeine per cup, coffee 95mg. So Ilex gives some improved focus, mood boost but less than coffee.
- Coffee boasts health benefits like reduced cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s risk. It also limits obesity, diabetes.
- Most people have trouble staying away from sugar in afternoons. They drink coffee increasing cravings. Coffee makes one “wired but tired” unlike smoother mate lift without jitters. Mate helped my pm cravings and weight loss. Mate boosts energy with nutrients, unlike coffee.
The Ilex tree grows in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil. It contains caffeine, theobromine and theophylline like coffee.
A French Press or Gourd makes mate drinks. Cruz de Malta Mate has a strong, bitter, smoky taste with natural sweetness – no added sugar needed.
California has exclusive mate clubs for best brands and health benefits. Ask if markets carry mate in California. See available brands.