This South American drink is consumed for its energizing properties. The correct way to pronounce it is "yehr-bah mah-teh". Mastering the pronunciation will allow you to order it accurately at cafes and restaurants.
Origin
The origin of this delicious beverage traces back to the Guarani people in what is now Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. Although the pronunciation seems difficult at first, mastering it opens up a whole new world of deliciousness!
In Argentina, Uruguay or Paraguay, pronounce it "yer-bah mah-tay" to sound like a local when ordering. Focus on the second syllable for emphasis.
Preparation
The tea is made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. The ideal brewing temperature is approximately 170°F (77°C). Using boiling water produces a bitter, inferior beverage.
Health Benefits
Appreciated for energizing the body and mind, this tea is growing popular as a natural alternative to coffee and energy drinks. Like green tea, the infusion has health benefits. However, mate also has prominent calming effects that drinkers usually experience right away.
Yerba mate grows on an evergreen rainforest plant. Leaves grown in shade have the best flavor.
Unlike green tea, the South American drink energizes mind and body. It also has soothing, calming effects.
The tea contains around 78mg caffeine per cup. This is less than coffee but more than tea.
Consumption
People consume the infusion in many ways – as loose tea, tea bags, canned drinks, etc. Sharing mate socially is an important cultural tradition.
To improve your yerba mate pronunciation, there are a few tips to keep in mind. Listen to native speakers or watch instructional videos to learn the correct pronunciation. Pay attention to the stress and intonation patterns to get a better grasp of the language.
The taste is herbal and tea-like but more bitter, earthy and naturally sweeter than green tea. The amount of caffeine depends on the preparation method. An average serving contains 30-50 mg of caffeine compared to 95 mg in coffee.
Locals in South America drink 1-4 liters of mate per day. Limit your consumption to 2-3 beverages per day. Avoid drinking mate in the evening if you are sensitive to caffeine.
History
The plant is native to parts of Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil where it continues to be widely cultivated and consumed. The indigenous Guaraní first cultivated yerba mate prior to European colonization.