Does the herbal drink give you a buzz?
The South American plant is an evergreen native to rainforests, particularly in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The leaves make the infusion. It has a long history of use among indigenous peoples as a social and ceremonial drink, often shared with friends and family. The beverage is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Side Effects and Active Compounds
The higher risk of side effects is linked with drinking about 1 to 2 liters, daily. The drink stimulates dopamine. Besides that, it contains theobromine and theophylline. These compounds provide mild stimulant effects.
The infusion has a diuretic and slightly laxative effect. This helps the body eliminate toxins and purify itself. The diuretic effect is natural.
Popularity in South America
In Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay and Brazil, the herb outnumbers coffee six to one. It makes a caffeinated, tea-like drink but contains no actual tea leaves. It is bitter when brewed strong.
Preparation and Flavor
The beverage is best drunk below boiling to avoid bitterness. It has an earthy flavor with a mild bitter aftertaste and an unusual scent some find unusual at first. To avoid extra sugar or chemicals, try adding liquid or powder to hot water for instant drinks.
The yerba mate plant has an naturally earthy, woodsy, or grassy taste. Many enjoy this grassy taste, while others prefer adding some lemon or milk to tone it down. It can have an astringent taste due to the tannins. The taste varies from earthy, grassy, woody to buttery depending on the brand.
Yerba mate is made of the dried twigs and leaves of the plant. It’s very woody with a strong vegetable flavor. It has a bitterness, though not exactly like coffee. It’s much more subdued and natural. Some brands can take on a smokey flavor, depending on processing.
Overview
The South American drink is made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains caffeine and stimulants that provide an awakening effect. It has a strong, slightly bitter taste with a natural sweetness. It does not cause the jitteriness or crash from drinking coffee. The herbs provide vitamins, antioxidants and minerals not in other caffeinated drinks. It increases alertness, focus and energy.
Cultural Significance
The drink is shared socially in South America amongst families and friends. It is a sign of hospitality to offer it to guests. Specific customs around preparing and drinking it have developed over centuries and are practiced today. Sharing it helps forge emotional connections.
The drinking vessel looks like a small jug and is often decorated. A metal straw with a sieve is inserted into it. The straw strains the leaves allowing the infusion to be sipped.
It is traditionally consumed very hot. It has an earthy, grassy flavor with hints of fruit. The caffeine provides a different energizing effect compared to coffee.
Cultivation
The plants can be difficult to cultivate outside South America. Using climate controlled spaces it is possible to grow plants outside the region.