The leaves of this evergreen shrub are ground to make a hot infusion called mate in Spanish-speaking countries or chimarrão in Brazil. This drink contains caffeine and is typically enjoyed communally from a gourd using a metal straw. Even though commonly referred to as tea, it technically is not tea.
To prepare traditional mate, dried leaves are placed in a hollowed gourd and hot water 70-80 °C is added. The metal straw with a filter allows drinking the infusion while straining out the leaves.
The plant is called erva mate while in Spanish it is yerba mate meaning “gourd herb". It has 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, and antioxidants that provide a balanced energy.
In Argentina, drinking mate is ubiquitous at home, work, with friends, or while traveling. Tourists can discover how mate is traditionally made by growers in producing regions through Argentina’s Ruta de la Yerba Mate or Yerba Route.
Many people are loving it as an alternative to coffee. It contains some caffeine and can give you an energy boost, but drinkers don’t report the same jittery feelings or caffeine crash that often come with coffee drinking.
Brewing mate is a simple matter: pour one liter of hot, but not boiling water over three to five teaspoons, depending on taste. Then let it steep for five to ten minutes and pour it through a sieve. If necessary, you can simply sweeten your mate with sugar or honey. By the way, ice-cold, slightly sweetened mate tea with sliced oranges and lemons is a perfect summertime drink.
At the end of the day, both mate and tea offer some significant health benefits and can be good additions to one’s diet. However, mate is the clear winner when it comes to antioxidant availability, caffeine content, and overall nutrient makeup.
Mate tea has many evidence-based health benefits from weight loss to reducing bad cholesterol. This herbal tea is also rich in antioxidants and nutrients.
This tea has some caffeine and nutrients. It provides energy without side effects like coffee. Mate typically has less caffeine than coffee.
People often share a gourd of mate tea from one person to another. This shows friendship. Argentinians drink a lot of mate, over 14 pounds per person per year. They drink it for breakfast or before sunset. The tea can be served hot or cold.
Mate has some of the same stimulants as chocolate and green tea. This gives a steady energy boost. Mate may help with weight loss due to caffeine. But drinking too much for too long may increase health risks.
It contains many antioxidants, stimulants, vitamins and minerals. Mate provides an energy boost and enhances mental function due to its caffeine content. It increases alertness, improves concentration and reduces fatigue. The plant is grown in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. It has a strong, earthy flavor with a mildly bitter, grassy undertone.
To make mate, the dried leaves are steeped in hot water but not boiled. It’s traditionally drunk from a gourd using a metal straw. Mate can also be consumed cold, often with lemon or honey added for more flavor. Locals in South America drink 1-4 liters per day. While mate is considered safe in moderation, high intake may have risks.
Discover why mate is said to have the health benefits of tea, the strength of coffee and the pleasing nature of chocolate.