Benefits
Preparation
Which yerba mate is better?
This herbal tea is a rare one. It’s one of the few plants that naturally produce caffeine. The leaves are high in xanthines, especially theobromine and caffeine. These compounds are primarily responsible for the stimulating effects. It also contains small amounts of Vitamin C.
It’s often described as a beverage with the energy kick of coffee and joy of chocolate. The tea is prepared with the leaves of the tree from South America, which only grows in three countries: Argentina (the world’s main producer), Brazil and Paraguay.
The plant can have a productive life up to 100 years. After being dried, ground and packed in a carefully controlled process; the leaves can be easily purchased in countries Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile.
This beverage is the most popular in Argentina, surpassing coffee and tea. Whether making it hot or cold, it’s a great herbal alternative to coffee.
For most people it seemed overwhelming, bitter and strong at first. That’s why it is important to start with a right brand that can be enjoyed by a novice. Please see article from Mayo Clinic for more details on risks of drinking very hot brews.
Are you supposed to drink the leaves?
It is made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is similar to tea. The leaves are dried over fire and brewed with hot or cold water. It is served in a wooden and metal cup, a hollow calabash gourd or an animal horn called guampa. You drink it with a metal straw traditionally made from silver, called bombilla in Spanish and bomba in Portuguese.
The traditional way to drink it is to continuously sip it for several hours, adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients. It is often enjoyed in social gatherings in parks or beautiful, calm nature. Several people share one gourd with a single bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
It contains caffeine and many antioxidants. It can help boost your metabolism, reduce appetite, burn fat, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance weight loss. However, it may interfere with some medications, including stimulants and chemotherapy drugs. Some brands can leave a sour taste, so it’s best to try different kinds, ideally air-dried without wood smoke. The beverage has been popular for ages due to its many health properties. It is quite beneficial, yet moderation is still key.
Maximizing Effects
How do I get the most out of it?
This tea is made from the dried leaves of a South American plant. It has more antioxidants and caffeine than green tea. Drinking it provides energy, focus, and other health benefits.
To prepare it, place the loose leaves in a container. Wet the leaves with cool water first to remove bitterness. Then pour hot water over the leaves and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Use a filtered straw to drink the tea.
Drinking it from a gourd provides a stronger effect compared to tea bags. The gourd can hold 20-100 grams of leaves versus only 3-5 grams in a tea bag. This higher quantity of tea yields more nutrients and caffeine. The gourd can also be refilled and reused, making it perfect for sharing.
There are two main types of filtered straws. Double action straws work well for blends with more stems and leaves. Spoon straws are best for finer blends but can be used with any brew.
To enhance the flavor, it can be prepared using a French press. Place the leaves in the French press, pour in hot water, and let soak for 5-10 minutes. This method produces a mellow, smooth flavor. The temperature of the water and steep time can be adjusted to control flavor intensity.
It is native to parts of South America such as Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It typically contains 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per cup, less than coffee but more than most teas. In addition to caffeine, it provides antioxidants, vitamins, and other beneficial plant compounds.
Best Practices
What is the best way to use it?
This South American plant is brewed by steeping the leaves in hot water. Like coffee and tea, it contains caffeine. It gives drinkers a caffeine buzz and offers health benefits.
Preparing loose leaves in a gourd lasts longer than tea bags. A gourd holds 20-100+ grams while a tea bag holds 3-5 grams. A gourd can be refilled, lasting up to a liter. This makes loose leaves perfect for drinking alone and with others. You can share one gourd rather than individual tea bags. The larger quantity also produces a stronger effect of feeling focused and alert without jitteriness.
It is made from an evergreen’s leaves native to South America. Leaves grown in shade taste better than leaves grown in sun. Wild leaves are harvested every two years. In controlled environments leaves grow quicker and are harvested each winter.
It has differences from coffee and green tea. It may be the most powerful energy booster with significant caffeine. It is less likely than coffee to cause jitters and protects the heart while providing antioxidants. It hosts health benefits, is widely consumed in South America for years, and is safe in moderation following guidelines.
Traditionally, it is shared between people with one gourd and bombilla. The server refills the gourd with hot water and passes to the next person.