Mate is a species of the holly genus (Ilex), with the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis A. It is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America, primarily in Paraguay, as well as in Argentina, Uruguay, southern and central-western Brazil, the Chaco region of Bolivia and southern Chile. Mate was first cultivated and used by the indigenous Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization.
Drinking Mate for Energy
Drinking mate is also an excellent way of getting more energy to perform your physical exercise or to be able to make it through a long workday.
Vessels for Drinking Mate
There are many different vessels you can drink mate from, whether you choose the traditional gourd or not. The wood gourd is the most fragile of your choices.
Fans of tea and coffee have an intriguing new flavor to explore in Pacific Beach. Yerba Mate Bar opened last week, San Diego’s first café dedicated to the caffeinated beverage of choice for the southern half of South America, including Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. The region’s native yerba plant, a relative of holly, has been brewed into tea there for centuries, first by indigenous peoples, and later European colonials who discovered they too adored it.
Traditional Way of Drinking Mate
But the most common way of drinking mate is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves pr water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients from the mate, so this really is a drink you can pull on all day.
Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant[1] X Research source in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. In order to enjoy mate in the traditional way, however, you must prepare it properly as outlined below. Ingredients.
There’s a great selection of yerba mate tea shops in Manhattan where you can find a variety of flavors and blends. These shops are a haven for yerba mate enthusiasts, offering a wide range of options to satisfy every taste. Mate is known for its numerous health benefits, such as boosting energy levels, aiding digestion, and promoting mental clarity. At these tea shops, you can find different mate blends that cater to specific health concerns or personal preferences.
What is a Yerba Mate Gourd Called?
Mate, scientifically known as Ilex paraguariensis, is a species of evergreen holly that belongs to the family Aquifoliaceae. It has a unique growth pattern, typically reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet, with glossy, dark green leaves that are oval-shaped and serrated at the edges. The plant thrives in the subtropical rainforests of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, where it forms an important part of the ecosystem by providing habitat and food for various species.
The traditional way to prepare and drink mate is in a gourd, known as the mate. After you place the herb, or the yerba, inside, you shake or crush it to get the polvo (powder or dust) out as it can clog up your bombilla. Then you pour hot water into the gourd.
Health Benefits of Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate has a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than green tea, this makes it a super healthy beverage. Mate contains caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. This combination is responsible for the refreshing effects of a good mate drink that helps remain alert without any jitters or crashes.
Yerba Mate begins life as a shrub that then matures to a tree that can grow up to 15 meters. Traditionally, yerba mate leaves were either chewed or steeped in hot water to make a strong tea. The most common use is in the traditional tea prepared with a calabash gourd and bamboo straw (bombilla). It’s used to boost energy, for digestive complaints, nerve pain, depression, fatigue, and to support weight loss.
How to Drink Yerba Mate from a Gourd
When it comes to drinking yerba mate, there’s more to it than just the ideal temperature and serving size. Drinking yerba mate is a social experience that involves sharing with friends, passing the gourd, and following traditional customs. I believe that understanding these etiquette practices is crucial for fully appreciating the cultural significance of yerba mate.
Sharing with Friends
Imagine yourself sitting around sharing yerba mate and sharing stories and laughter.
When to Drink Yerba Mate
Argentinians usually drink it for breakfast or just before sunset, hot or cold depending on the weather. As things evolve, mate has become increasingly common to drink from cans, bottles, and energy drinks, any time of day. But getting together to matear forges emotional links between people. And it takes the Argentinians back to their roots.
How to Prepare Yerba Mate
You need a mate cup, a bombilla, and types of yerba. Gourds come in shapes, sizes, and materials. Choosing the right gourd affects the taste and overall experience of drinking yerba mate. Repeatedly steeping your yerba mate agitating the herb extracts all the goodness your yerba has to offer.
Drinking Yerba Mate
Put the bombilla in empty gourd and let rest at an angle against the top of the gourd. Fill the gourd 2/3 full of mate leaves. Pour hot water on top and sip through the bombilla. Refill and drink until the mate is not strong enough anymore.
How Long Can You Keep Yerba Mate in Gourd?
The traditional way of preparing and enjoying mate tea is by using a gourd and a bombilla. Mate tea gourd was originally developed by the Guarani people of South America. The traditional gourd is made from a fruit of a gourd vine, a calabash squash, which varies in shape and size and possesses a very hard shell.
When people gather to drink Mate tea from a Yerba mate gourd, there is even some degree of ceremony associated with this gathering. There are rites performed the same way every time, including gathering around in reverent silence, pass the Mate cup around, and then ending their time with peaceful conversation.