Mate is a drink made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It has been consumed for centuries in South America as a beverage and herbal medicine.
Mate contains caffeine as well as antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It has been associated with increased energy, enhanced mental focus, weight loss benefits, stronger bones and immune function.
Traditionally, mate is steeped in hot water and served in a container called a gourd along with a metal straw that has a filter on one end. It can also be prepared using a French press or tea infuser. Mate has a strong, earthy and grassy flavor. It can be consumed hot or iced. Popular additions include lemon, mint and sweeteners.
Mate is now available worldwide in both loose leaf and tea bag form. It has grown in popularity beyond South America and is considered by many to be a healthy alternative to coffee.
Mate is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the mate plant. This tea originated in South America. Unlike most herbal teas, mate contains caffeine. Many online stores sell mate tea blends and accessories like gourds and straws. Drinking mate can provide health benefits. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C and E which boost the immune system. It also has many minerals. The best mate tea combines great flavor with responsible production, reasonable pricing and ease of use. New drinkers may prefer non-traditional blends with added flavors. Fans of green tea may enjoy traditional mate brews. Mate provides energy. Studies show it can help people lose weight by burning fat and reducing appetite. Risks of drinking mate regularly include increased heart rate and blood pressure. When buying mate, check the tea aisle first, then the international section. It’s traditionally drunk from a gourd.
Mate is a species of the holly genus native to South America. It 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, Bolivia and southern Chile. The indigenous Guaraní people first cultivated and used mate before European colonization. Mate is used to make a beverage called mate. It can grow in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from leaves grown in the rainforest shade. The plant is an evergreen shrub. The leaves are trimmed by hand, dried, ground, and then aged 9-24 months before being brewed. Once brewed, it contains antioxidants. The Guaraní considered the drink a gift from the gods. Europeans arriving in South America in the 16th century picked up the local infusion from the Guaraní. Within decades, the Spanish were drinking it. Cultivated from South America’s subtropical forest, mate is a stimulant beverage consumed for supposed benefits like supporting weight loss, better concentration and digestion.
Drinking very hot mate at 149°F (65°C) or warmer is connected to higher cancer risks, possibly due to carcinogenic PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in mate. See this Mayo Clinic article for details. You may also experience caffeine side effects from high mate intake, like migraines, hypertension, and insomnia. Pregnant women should speak to doctors before drinking mate, as caffeine increases miscarriage and low birth weight risks.
Mate is a tea-like beverage from mate plant stems and leaves. It contains caffeine and stimulants with health benefits, potentially increasing concentration, energy, and aiding weight control. Mate can be served hot traditionally, in tea bags, or iced.
In the tea aisle, international aisle, or South American section. Aside from traditional mate (dried leaves), there are also mate drinks and tea bags.
We want to ease worries, so we put together mate teas, where to get them, and how to enjoy them. Taragui Mate is one of the oldest on the market. With a century of experience, this Argentinian company ensures high-quality mate. The taste is bitter, smoky with a scent of leather and mildly acidic aftertaste. The tea has rough-cut leaves and stem pieces.
While mate infuses various South American cultures, traditions around preparing and sipping mate can differ by country.