Materva is a tealike beverage, popular in many South American countries, brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) related to holly. Mate is a species of Illex with the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis. It grows in Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil. According to the 19th Century explorer Joseph Hooker, mate was consumed in South America before the Spanish and Portuguese conquerors arrived.
Mate can have a euphoric effect vaguely akin to the beginning of a good acid trip. The Uruguayans drink more mate than any other country. Their style is all powder and small leaves. When prepared properly, mate can be delicious with much more flavor than other varieties and is creamy.
What is Mate?
So mate is a traditional South American drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant with origins in the Guarani culture. The drink spread throughout South America and became important socially.
The Mate Plant (Ilex Paraguariensis) is an evergreen tree that grows in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Mate is part of the Aquifoliaceae family.
Mate refers exclusively to the mate plant in Argentina. Mate translated literally as ‘the gourd herb’; the herb one drinks from a gourd.
The brewer refills the recipient who drinks the beverage and passes mate in clockwise order.
Popularity of Mate
Mate became popular in South America. The origins of mate are filled with folklore. Ilex Paraguariensis has a life of 100 years. After drying, grinding and packing the leaves they can be purchased in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile.
Mate is loaded with antioxidants. It’s one of the few plants that naturally produce caffeine. Mate is a great alternative to coffee whether hot or cold.
Materva is a name for mate.
About the Mate Plant
Mate is a plant found in South America. Its leaves are used to make tea. This tea is very popular in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. It has been drunk for centuries by people in these countries.
Mate tea gives energy, like coffee. It contains caffeine and antioxidants. It is made by pouring hot water onto mate leaves in a gourd or cup. The tea is drunk through a metal straw with a filter, called a bombilla. This stops the leaves going up the straw.
Gathering together to share mate is an important cultural tradition.
The flavor of mate is earthy and grassy, sometimes with fruity or citrusy tastes. It can be drunk hot or cold. People also chew the leaves directly. Mate has health benefits too. It can give energy and help with weight loss.
There are different types of mate. Brands vary in strength, taste and color. This depends how the leaves were harvested and processed. The main producer countries each have their own style of mate.