Mate: A South American Plant
Mate is a plant from South America. Its leaves are used to make a drink called mate. Mate contains caffeine like coffee or tea. It also has vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some research shows mate may help cholesterol, weight loss, heart health, inflammation, and cancer risk. But more studies are needed.
- People in South America drink a lot of mate. Some drink 1-4 liters daily. The common amount is 2-3 cups per day.
- Mate gives an energy boost. But mate has less caffeine than coffee. It also contains healthy nutrients.
Mate is safe for most healthy adults to drink daily. Up to 3 grams of mate leaves in one cup, for 12 weeks, is considered safe. Some brands to try are Cruz de Malta, Taragui, ECOTEAS, Canarias, and Playadito.
You can grow this South American plant outside South America. But this is challenging on a large scale. The climate and conditions must be right for the plants. It’s easier to grow a few plants yourself.
- Drinking mate provides stimulation like coffee. It boosts energy, improves mental focus, and fights fatigue.
- Locals drink 1-4 liters of mate daily. But start slow if new to caffeine.
- It’s a healthy substitute for coffee or tea.
Why is this South American plant so expensive?
As you can see, there are over 153,000 monthly Google searches for this herb. That’s a lot of search interest! Looks like it is here to stay, which is good news if you’re selling it in your online store.
The plant is native to South America, where it’s incredibly popular as a hot beverage, served considerably more frequently than coffee. It’s thought to be a gift from the gods to enhance stamina.
For true, authentic, loose-leaf mate from Argentina, try Cruz de Malta. This mate has a stronger, smokier flavor than most, so it’s a great choice if you want a bold flavor profile.
If you wish to purchase this herb, you have to look for Brazilian or Paraguayan-themed food markets. Keep in mind that aside from traditional mate (dried leaves), there are also mate drinks (like energy drinks), and ready-made tea bags.
- Mate is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America, primarily in Paraguay, as well as in Argentina, Uruguay, southern and central-western Brazil, the Chaco region of Bolivia and southern Chile.
Like most plants, the environment is pretty crucial in terms of how well your plant will develop.
Taragui is one of the oldest mate teas on the market. With more than a century of experience, this Argentinian company ensures mate of the highest-quality in every sip you take.
- The plant can grow in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from leaves that have been grown in the shade of the rainforest.
Why is this South American plant so addictive?
Mate is a traditional South American drink made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It provides a balanced energy boost similar to coffee, but with more nutrients and less caffeine. Mate contains almost all vitamins needed to sustain life.
- The best tasting mate grows in the rainforests of South America.
Mate is commonly served hot in a wooden cup called a guampa. It can also be served cold, often with fruit juice. Argentinians frequently drink it in the morning or before sunset.
- Drinking mate promotes blood flow, eases fatigue, and forges emotional connections. It is consumed by 90% of Argentinian households.
The plant can be grown as an indoor potted plant. But large scale cultivation outside South America poses challenges in replicating the native climate. If the environment isn’t right, the plants won’t develop well.
- Some mate benefits include fighting cancer, reducing unhealthy cholesterol, boosting balanced energy, and promoting weight loss.
Is guayaki real mate?
Guayaki sources its organic mate from small farmer cooperatives in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Indigenous tribes have long incorporated mate into their daily lives for its health benefits and social significance. The plant grows best in regions with high humidity, rainfall, and fertile soil in South America.
Walmart offers both in-store and online mate choices. Walmart has traditional loose-leaf mate or ready-to-drink cans. They also carry different flavors, allowing you to find the perfect match for your taste buds. Additionally, shopping at Walmart means you can take advantage of their competitive prices and frequent discounts.
- People can use the leaves like tea leaves to diffuse the taste and properties. In addition to the effects, the plant has cultural significance in folklore. People originally discovered it in Paraguay and Brazil where natives dubbed it an “herb from the gods.”
Unlike other stimulants, guayaki mate contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids as well as caffeine.
My thoughts are that Guayaki is a company who’s doing the right things.
With Guayaki mate, their tests have shown a lower PAH level compared to traditionally smoked brands because only some is smoke-dried, while most is air-dried. They claim mate grown under sunlight can taste more bitter.
Mate is an herbal tea from the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over a fire, then infused in hot water. This tea is consumed from a gourd and sipped with a metal straw. Yerba mate is widely available in health food stores and online. I often get emails from drinkers, recently introduced to mate, consuming your brand, but asking for advice on which to try next. A typical email will start questioning the “authenticity” of the Guayakí taste compared to brands like Rosamonte, Cruz de Malta, and Barao.