How to Make Yerba Mate
Use water just off the boil, around 160 to 180 degrees. If you don’t have temperature control, water simmers at 190 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. Temperature drops with altitude.
Indigenous called it ‘drinks of gods’, settlers ‘green gold’.
My yerba mate recipe gives best focus and energy – caffeine and oils like bulletproof coffee. I make 3 cups needing 6 teaspoons. Boil water in an affordable tea pot. Add 6 teaspoons to a french press. I let it soak 10 minutes to fully extract. I add 1 tablespoon organic butter to my cup.
Drink 2-3 cups at most per day. Avoid evening if caffeine sensitive. It has benefits and side effects though evidence is contested. It’s packed with vitamins.
Gourds come in shapes, sizes and materials. Natural gourds need ‘curing’ first. Mate cups also come in varieties.
What is Yerba Mate? Origin and History
The plant comes from the Ilex tree, consumed for centuries by indigenous South Americans.
This guide helps buy the tea and start drinking properly. Maybe you heard of it or still wonder “what is it?”. This gives confidence to buy right equipment and Yerba Mate for you.
The culture links to gauchos adopting the tea from native tribes. Traditionally: gourd, metal straw, hot water, sip through straw. Big part of rural and urban culture in parts of South America.
Yerba mate is a species of the holly genus, with the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis. It is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America. The indigenous Guaraní people first cultivated the plant prior to European colonization.
Health Benefits and Risks
Yerba mate tea contains about 80 milligrams of caffeine per cup, comparable to coffee. It may provide an energy boost without causing nervousness.
Some evidence suggests yerba mate tea may help protect heart health. The caffeine in yerba mate can prevent sleep if consumed late in the evening. It can negatively impact sleep quality.
Like other herbs people generously enjoy like oregano and parsley, consider how much yerba mate to consume.
Yerba mate provides the "strength of coffee, health of tea, euphoria of chocolate." It also contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that may increase cancer risk when combined with smoking. So drink yerba mate in moderation.
Is it OK to Drink Yerba Mate Everyday?
Is it OK to drink yerba mate everyday?
Yerba Mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It has been consumed in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil for centuries and is growing in popularity worldwide.
However, yerba mate also has risks when consumed in excess. The caffeine content can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, irritability and rapid heartbeat in sensitive individuals. Some research links drinking very hot yerba mate over long periods to increased risk of certain cancers.
The amount considered safe depends on the individual. Many people in South America drink 1-4 liters per day with no issues. In North America and Europe, 1-2 liters is common among avid drinkers. It’s best to start with small amounts and see how your body responds.
Yerba Mate Components
Yerba Mate is a small bush that produces evergreen leaves used to make yerba mate tea. The plant is native to southern parts of South America.
There are 4 main components:
- Gourd. The basic cup (drinking device) is made from a gourd;
- Bombilla. The metal straw;
- Yerba. The dried leaves;
- Hot Water.
Yerba Mate Culture and Preparation
Yerba Mate is often shared among friends during social gatherings known as ‘mateadas’. The traditional preparation of yerba mate involves using a cured gourd, bombilla, and hot water. Yerba mate offers various health benefits and can be consumed at different times of day.
To prepare, first fill 3⁄4 of the gourd with the yerba leaves. Then, mix the dust with the other particles by shaking. Tilt the mate cup at a 45° angle to leave space for water. The flavor can be described as earthy, grassy, or woodsy with hints of fruit.