You can find maté at local health food stores in Florida. Maté is a popular beverage known for its numerous health benefits. Consuming maté can also aid in weight management, increase energy levels, and enhance mental focus. So it’s no surprise that there is a huge population of dedicated maté drinkers in Miami and Florida.
Graziano’s Mercado sells maté to give you the full Argentinian experience. PampaDirect is the best place to buy maté. It is a fairly new online store but they’ve already gained my trust and loyalty as a customer.
The leaves of the maté plant contain the same carcinogens found in tobacco. Ingested in small amounts, this is not dangerous.
The traditional way to prepare maté is in a gourd, known as the mate. Locals drink maté at any time – for breakfast, during the afternoon or even before dinner.
When you start drinking maté it’s easy to think that one cup of the stuff is like any other. Then, you find a huge history and a vast array of types and forms.
Why is maté good for you?
Maté is made by steeping dried leaves from the holly tree in hot water. This plant grows abundantly in South America – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay are major producers of maté. Maté contains nearly all of the vitamins that are necessary for human survival. It was originally used by Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization. Maté is consumed like coffee or tea predominantly in Central and South American countries. Maté comes from a shrub. It was originally used by Guaraní—ancient people who occupied parts of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. Maté tea is different from other herbal tea in that Maté contains both caffeine and antioxidants. Maté is a central nervous system stimulant found in South America, and made from the maté plant. This tea contains many nutrients that we need in our daily lives, such as antioxidants, amino acids, and other vitamins that are essential to our health. Maté has 90% more antioxidants than the usual green tea, and has an insane amount of characteristics that will boost your immune system. It is important to drink tea that has properties that boost your immune system, because this will keep your healthier and will prevent you from getting sick.
Are guayaki matés healthy?
Maté is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. Maté has a long history of traditional use in parts of South America as a stimulating and nutritious beverage. It emerged from its native lands over the last few decades and secured a following overseas. Today maté is consumed socially and habitually in contemporary Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru and Southern Brazil.
Yerba mate contains xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives and saponins. Because the leaves contain so many of these phytochemicals, researchers think yerba mate tea has antioxidant, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. Yerba mate may enhance physical and mental functions. Researchers are studying yerba mate for treating various conditions from osteoporosis to drug addiction.
Does maté need to be refrigerated?
Technically maté doesn’t expire on its own. But over time, it loses flavor. Also it can grow mold if not stored properly. To store yerba mate properly, temperature, humidity, and light need controlling. Sources differ on optimal time for aging. But the longer, the better.
Traditionally maté is infused in a small container or gourd, using a filtering straw and by adding hot water.
Although appreciated in southern South America, processing and selling maté varies by region. After 4-6 years growth, maté trees are ready for harvest. Personal tastes and preferences define great maté more than product quality.