Mate Preparation
When selecting mate leaves, make sure to look for ones that are green and fragrant. You can drink mate before going to bed or in the evening. It contains less caffeine than tea or espresso and therefore has less of a stimulating effect. But whether you have trouble sleeping depends on your sensitivity to caffeine! On the other hand, using mate tea bags will give you a much milder infusion. How much mate increases your energy levels depends mainly on 3 things:
- How you prepare your mate tea.
- How much you drink.
- What is your tolerance for caffeine.
What is Mate?
Mate, also known as mate, is an herbal tea made by steeping dried leaves from the mate plant in hot water. Mate can be served cold or hot. The tea may have helpful effects on cholesterol, weight loss, the heart, swelling called inflammation and cancer risk. But more research is needed to confirm these links.
Drinking Mate
Whenever you drink mate you need hot water – and not just a single cup, but a full bottle supply. It’s easiest to boil water and put it into a thermos. If you partake of mate with a group, there’s just one gourd and one person who pours. Hot water is poured and the gourd is passed to the first person who drinks the entire thing and passes it back to the designated pourer. The tea does get less and less potent with every pour. I particularly enjoy the first few stout cups. The flavor, therefore, varies greatly from region to region.
If you experience any of these side effects of caffeine overdose after consuming mate, then you should reduce your overall daily caffeine intake. Mate isn’t likely to pose any threats for healthy adults who occasionally drink it.
History of Mate
The indigenous Guaraní first cultivated mate in present-day Paraguay. After the Jesuits discovered its potential, mate became widespread. Like coffee or tea, friends in South America often gather and drink mate.
Benefits of Mate
Mate provides a caffeine boost but also contains antioxidants, saponins, and caffeoyl derivatives. These compounds offer anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits, boost metabolism, improve mood and memory, slow blood clotting, and lower blood sugar and cholesterol. With similar caffeine to coffee but more overall nutrients, mate is considered healthier than coffee or tea.
Storing Mate
The simplest method for storing mate is keeping it in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place with stable temperatures like a room. Mate contains caffeine which may cause insomnia, nervousness, nausea, increased heart rate and other side effects in some people. Smaller doses may result in slower absorption and longer effects. Frequency of consumption impacts how quickly mate is processed. Frequent consumption accelerates clearance from your system. Brewing with a tea strainer or teapot instead of a gourd and bombilla greatly increases how long a kilogram lasts. You can get around 250 8 ounce servings from a kilo when prepared this way, lasting over half a year when consumed daily.