Yerba mate is a relatively rare plant in the United States though it is increasingly available to buy online. Growing yerba mate can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience. Yerba mate is used to make a beverage known as mate.
When served cold, the drink is called tereré in Guaraní.
Ilex paraguariensis, or yerba maté, is a tree that grows in southern countries of South America, mainly Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. The yerba mate tree has leaves that are evergreen. The leaves are naturally caffeinated and picked and dried for consumption, traditionally infused in a calabash (small container or gourd), using the bombilla (filtering straw) and by adding hot water.
Size and Growth
The yerba mate tree grown in the wild can grow to over eight meters tall, but they’ve been known to grow even taller. Their leaves are oval-shaped and around five inches long. The height of your yerba mate tree will depend on how much sunlight it receives.
- If you live in tropical conditions, you can try growing yerba mate outdoors. Otherwise, if you can find seeds or a cultivated plant, it will do best as a houseplant. It can take about a year for a seed to germinate. This is a very slow-growing plant and it will take about five years before the leaves are ready for tea-making.
In conclusion, growing yerba mate can be a rewarding experience while reaping the benefits of this medicinal herb! The yerba mate tree is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 15 meters in height.
Yerba mate is enjoyed in a social gathering. Several people get together, stare one gourd with just one bombilla. Meeting up in parks is part of the tradition and ritual of drinking yerba mate. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
Yerba mate is a small tree or shrub from the holly genus. The leaves are called yerba in Spanish. Yerba mate is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil.
Yerba mate is a nutrient-rich plant. It could help with blood lipid levels and weight loss. Those looking for a bold flavor profile should try Cruz de Malta Yerba Mate. Taragui Yerba Mate is a good choice for a more mild-mannered yerba mate. At first, they all taste terrible. "What? That’s horrible!"
Growth Timeline
- Yerba mate is a slow-growing plant. It can take about five years before the leaves are ready for tea-making. Yerba mate plants require rich, loose, and loamy soil that retains moisture and is a bit acidic.
- It takes about six months for the calabash to grow and mature. Then, another half a year is needed for drying.
- After a full year from when the calabash is planted to fully dried, it’s necessary to carefully clean and engrave the gourd before use.
The yerba mate seeds’ germination period typically ranges from 20 to 30 days. To ensure growth, provide adequate sunlight or grow lights. Use a loamy, well-drained soil. The plants grow best in warm, moist climates but can be grown indoors in pots.
Consumption
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Studies use 3 cups (330mL each) of yerba mate a day, for up to 60 days. Up to 1.5 liters daily is safe.
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A yerba mate cup has 30-50 milligrams of caffeine. A green tea cup has 20-45 milligrams. Coffee has 95-165 milligrams per cup. Values vary by preparation.
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South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters of yerba mate daily. In North America and Europe, avid drinkers consume 1–2 liters daily.
The difference between yerba mate and matcha is ingredient and flavor. Both make a healthy, enjoyable drink.