Mate is a plant native to South America. The oval leaves are harvested by hand to reduce wilting and improve quality. First the leaves are dried, then stored to age. Aging enriches the flavor. Finally, the leaves are ground to varying sizes from dust to a couple millimeters.
The mate plant thrives in loose, acidic soil and warm humid climates with partial sunlight. It can be grown successfully indoors or outside in suitable climates.
Mate brews into a tea-like beverage popular in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The beverage has a long cultural history and unique flavor appreciated for its caffeine content and potential health benefits. Today mate is increasing in global popularity as an alternative to coffee and green tea.
Although traditionally served hot, mate can also be consumed cold, especially in hot climates. It’s prepared similarly to other loose teas. To reuse mate, refill the gourd or mug with hot water until the flavor is gone. This can range from 10 to 30 refills depending on the size.
The mate plant thrives in humid subtropical climates with steady temperatures around 20-23°C. It needs well-drained, acidic soil and filtered sunlight. Plants are grown from seeds then transplanted after a year.
There are various ways to prepare mate, including the traditional method with a gourd and bombilla, as an iced tea, with a french press, or in a coffee maker. The method you choose depends on your lifestyle and preferences.
For storage, keep mate in an airtight container away from humidity. But if you will finish the leaves fairly quickly, you can simply leave them in their original bag. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Proper storage keeps the mate fresh so you can continue enjoying its many benefits.
The leaves are dried over a fire, then steeped to make the tea. Mate is traditionally drunk from a gourd with a bombilla straw, which filters out leaves. Now, it’s typically drunk from a thermos with metal straw.
You can also brew mate yourself. Boil leaves in water 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy. Mate offers health benefits and a bold flavor. It’s an energetic, healthy alternative to coffee without side effects like sleep trouble or nausea.