Where to Buy Yerba Mate in Florida
Matear is based in Miami, Florida. They provide supplies across the US. The physical location at Yellow Green Farmer Market is temporarily closed but you can still order online from their website.
PampaDirect has one of the largest selections of brands. They also offer them for a low price. I wrote a review of their store because they gained my trust and loyalty as a customer.
Yerba Mate Overview
This herbal tea is made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over a fire, and then infused in hot water to make the tea. This beverage is typically consumed from a container called gourd and sipped with a metal straw that filters the leaf fragments floating on the surface.
The rich, earthy flavor and the natural energy boost provides make it the perfect beverage. But finding a reliable source to buy can sometimes be a challenge.
This plant can grow in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from leaves that have been grown in the shade of the rainforest.
Growing Your Own Yerba Mate
If you’re interested in seeds, then you should consider just growing your own. There are plenty of resources to buy seeds online. While you could buy tea, growing your own is cheaper in the long run and more fun.
Pricing and Availability
Compared to other teas, is more expensive due to careful cultivation. Prices for organic brands range around $15 per pound. You can find online through specialty retailers like Pampa Direct or Amazon. National chains like Kroger also carry it sometimes. Check the tea or international food aisle.
Health Benefits
In addition to being tasty and energizing, has several potential health benefits. Studies show it can boost metabolism, help with weight loss, improve heart health, and have protective effects against diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. It also contains antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Cultural Significance
Drinking is a beloved social tradition in South America. Friends and family gather together throughout the day to pass around a shared gourd filled with mate and sip it through a special straw called a bombilla. It’s customary for one person to be in charge of serving the mate to the group by refilling the gourd and passing it around in a circle. This makes drinking a communal experience that brings people closer together.
So if you’re curious to try , gather some friends together, brew up a gourd, and sip this cherished South American drink. Its rich heritage and potential health benefits make well worth experiencing.
Indigenous peoples in these areas have been drinking for centuries as an energizing beverage with medicinal properties.
Where to Buy Yerba Mate in the US
In the US, is available at local health food stores, online retailers, specialty tea shops, Latin American markets, and farmer’s markets. Online stores like Amazon and Walmart sell major brands. Shopping online allows for convenience while Latin American markets offer unique flavors and farmer’s markets provide maximum freshness.
Benefits of Drinking Yerba Mate
Drinking can provide an energy boost, help with weight loss, improve digestion, and deactivate E. coli bacteria. It has a stronger, smokier flavor compared to coffee or tea. The caffeine in boosts metabolism, burns fat, and prevents water retention.