What is Yerba Mate?
This tea is made by steeping dried leaves from the holly tree (Ilex paraguariensis) in hot water. This plant grows abundantly in South America – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay are major producers of the herbal drink. It contains a decent amount of caffeine. So if you’ve been told to limit your caffeine intake, this tea isn’t going to be a great choice. Some plant-based compounds in it can cause issues too.
Aside from the modern-day fear of sharing germs, it’s a great way of bonding with a community or with friends. The flavor, therefore, varies greatly from region to region. What brings it all together is the natural sweetness to it, meaning no need for added sugar. It’s perfect for an awakening morning drink that doesn’t include the jittery caffeine crash that you’ll often get from drinking coffee. One of the best parts is that it’s loaded with tons of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that you won’t find in other energy drinks. And it makes you more alert, helps you focus and concentrate better, and wakes you up.
Health Benefits
In addition to caffeine, it contains antioxidants, which provide a wide range of health-related benefits when consumed – including potential anti-cancer properties. These antioxidants are not only thought to have anti-cancer properties, but they have also been shown to reduce inflammation as well. There are many reasons to drink it. This tea is different from other herbal tea in that it contains both caffeine and antioxidants, and therefore many people drink it for its many health benefits and for the energy and focus that the drink provides.
Who Should Avoid Yerba Mate?
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It was first cultivated and used by the indigenous Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization.
- The leaves contain the same carcinogens found in tobacco and grilled meat. Ingested in small amounts, this is not dangerous, so don’t be concerned about drinking it in moderation.
Unlike coffee, it has a steady rise in energy which gives a feel of stimulation to the drinker’s minds and bodies. That’s also why it doesn’t give you the jitters, unlike coffee. This effect occurs from a combination of caffeine and theobromine.
Because it has such varying taste profiles depending on how it is prepared and processed, the taste ultimately depends on the brand of the tea you choose. It has a bitter taste thanks primarily to the tannins it contains.
Purchasing Yerba Mate
In our quest to identify the best it, we’ve rigorously tested dozens of brands, exploring various forms, processing methods, flavor intensities, and price points. Best Overall: U.S. Wellness Naturals Yerba Mate Tea.
It is possible to grow it outside South America and this is being done in controlled environments, where the climate is close to that which the plant is familiar with, or where it can be replicated.
It is a hot infusion brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub native to Paraguay, southern Brazil, and northeast Argentina. It was first cultivated and used by the indigenous Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization.
Why is Yerba Mate Expensive?
The location where it is grown and packaged impacts its price due to transportation costs and regulations. Brand also impacts price. Organic it relies on workers with machetes instead of herbicides, increasing labor costs. You can enjoy it for hours when served in a flask. Traditionally it was shared ceremonially, with the words "Drank, Pass, Fill." The soil quality greatly impacts the flavor, so it varies by region.
The Ilex paraguariensis plant has leaves that are dried over a fire and infused in hot water for the tea. Sharing it connects people and symbolizes friendship.
It grows on an evergreen holly plant native to parts of South America. The best tasting mate comes from rainforest shade. Overall, specialty cultivation methods and transportation from remote regions drive its high costs. But the strong cultural traditions and potential health benefits make it worthwhile for most mate lovers.