Mate is a stimulant beverage consumed in South America for a long time. Before Spanish colonization, natives chewed the plant’s leaves. Over time, a tea from the leaves became popular with South American cowboys. Mate contains antioxidants and may provide health benefits. However, drinking over 1-2 liters daily has been associated with increased anxiety, irregular heartbeat, headaches, and higher cancer risk. When consumed moderately, mate is safe for most people. You can find mate online, in health food stores, or traditional tea shops. It’s available loose leaf or in tea bags. Brew it with hot, not boiling, water for 3 minutes. Mate is traditionally sipped from a gourd with a special straw. Sharing mate is customary in South American culture.
Why is yerba mate so expensive?
Yerba mate is a species of holly native to South America. It is used to make a tea-like beverage called mate. Yerba mate grows as an evergreen tree in the rainforests of regions like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.
Yerba mate is traditionally consumed in central and southern South America. Indigenous Guaraní peoples cultivated yerba mate before European colonization. Today, yerba mate remains a popular beverage across South America.
The yerba mate plant’s leaves and twigs are dried to make the tea. Brewing methods vary, but generally involve steeping the leaves in hot water.
Drinking yerba mate has several health benefits. It provides a balanced energy boost from caffeine alongside antioxidants. Studies show yerba mate can help fight inflammation, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and even cancer. The common dosage is 1-2 cups per day, up to 1.5 liters, considered safe for most people.
Is yerba mate better for you than green tea?
- Mate provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients.
- It offers strength of coffee, health of tea, euphoria of chocolate.
- Mate has more antioxidants and polyphenols than green tea.
Mate stimulates collagen and dilates blood vessels. The flavor is neutral unlike bitter green tea. Fill a tea ball, steep in hot water 3 minutes.
Mate is not the same as green tea. Mate can be combined with plant-based milk. Mate symbolizes culture in the Southern Cone. Mate has more antioxidants than any tea-based drink.
Mate is especially common in parts of South America and the Middle East. Studies suggest helpful effects on cholesterol, weight loss, heart, inflammation and cancer risk. But more research is needed.
Drinking large amounts long-term may increase cancer risk of mouth, throat and lungs. Caffeine can cause side effects. Besides energy, mate can improve memory, focus, mood. It can slow blood clotting, decrease blood sugar, lower neurological disease risk.
Is yerba mate better for you than Red Bull?
Research suggests mate may help protect against certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, inflammation, liver issues, and other conditions. It also contains caffeine to provide an energy boost. Users report mate provides a more gentle stimulation compared to coffee or energy drinks, without causing jitters or crashes.
The common methods for preparing yerba mate are infusion with hot water, often shared communally from a gourd through a metal straw known as a bombilla, or served cold as tereré. Yerba mate can be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy lifestyle. Recommended intake is about 3 cups per day.