What is Yerba Mate?
This tea-like beverage originated from South America. Its unique flavor makes it a popular alternative to coffee or tea. It contains caffeine, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
- Originated in South America
- Tea-like drink with unique flavor
- Contains caffeine, antioxidants, beneficial compounds
How is Mate Used Culturally in South America?
Drinking mate brings people together in South America. This tradition has spread globally.
- Communal drinking tradition in South America
- Has spread globally
Physical and Mental Benefits of Drinking Mate
This drink naturally boosts energy with its caffeine. It offers physical and mental stimulation. The leaves come from the Ilex paraguariensis plant. When steeped, the flavorful, energizing drink is created.
- Natural energy and stimulation from caffeine
- From leaves of Ilex paraguariensis plant
- Flavorful, energizing steeped drink
It has the same caffeine as coffee but doesn’t cause jitters. It has adaptogenic properties that balance the body.
- Same caffeine as coffee
- Doesn’t cause jitters
- Adaptogenic properties that balance the body
For an authentic version, try Cruz de Malta with its bold, smoky flavor.
- Authentic – Cruz de Malta has bold, smoky flavor
Indigenous peoples discovered it, calling it an “herb from the gods” for stamina. It was a dietary staple and used medicinally.
- Discovered by indigenous peoples for stamina
- Called "herb from the gods"
- Used as dietary staple and medicinally
It is trending, sipped by famous personalities. Its roughly 70mg of caffeine per cup energizes without coffee’s crash. It has health benefits.
- Now trending with famous personalities
- 70mg caffeine per cup gives energy without crash
- Has additional health benefits
In Paraguay and Uruguay, people walk the streets with it and a thermos.
- Paraguay and Uruguay cultures walk with it in thermos
Uruguayans drink it more than any other country. Their style is all powder and small leaves.
- Uruguay drinks the most mate
- Uruguayan style is powder and small leaves
The Ceremony and Traditions of Drinking Mate
Over the centuries, the art of sharing mate has been passed down through generations. In fact, many of the traditions we still see today have been commonplace for years! Mate rituals do vary slightly by country, these rules are pretty much universal.
- Traditional gourd and bombilla straw for drinking
- Sharing ritual passed down through generations
- Rituals vary by country but have common threads
In Argentina mate forges emotional links between people beyond the mere act of getting together to drink something.
- In Argentina, strengthens social/emotional connections
Nutrition and Convenience of Mate
It is rich in antioxidants, helps reduce bad cholesterol and contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins. As a last characteristic, it is an energy drink due to its high caffeine content.
- Rich in antioxidants
- Reduces bad cholesterol
- High in vitamins and minerals
- Energizing from natural caffeine
It is a popular South American drink originating from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. It’s gaining popularity worldwide for its flavor and energizing effects from natural caffeine and nutrients. It has a long cultural history, often bringing friends and family together in South America. It’s also becoming more convenient to drink with it now available in cans and tea bags. While similar to coffee or tea, it offers a distinct grassy, earthy flavor and sustained energy without crashes.
- Originated in several South American countries
- Gaining worldwide popularity for flavor, energy
- Cultural history of communal drinking
- Now available in convenient forms like cans, tea bags
- Offers distinct flavor and energy different than coffee/tea
Mate Culture Specific to Argentina
Yerba mate is the most popular drink in Argentina. Argentinians usually drink it for breakfast or just before sunset, hot or cold depending on the weather. Mate is consumed not just as a drink but also as a social custom that brings people together.
- Most popular drink in Argentina
- Drank for breakfast or sunset, hot or cold
- Communal social custom in Argentina