Description
The popular South American beverage is a species of the holly genus native to southern parts of South America. It is a popular beverage in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Chile. The plant produces evergreen leaves that are dried over a fire then used to make the tea. Traditionally consumed from a container called a gourd that is passed around as a sign of friendship.
In the United States, it can be found in local specialty stores, farmers markets, online retailers and Latin American grocery stores. These places offer unique handcrafted gourds made by skilled local artisans as well as other products and accessories. Local specialty stores provide a convenient way to find it with a wide selection of brands, tools and ingredients for the experience.
Preparation
The gourd used to prepare the tea is typically made from a fruit of a type of squash that has a very hard shell. But there are also cups made of different materials like wood, glass or silicone. The traditional way to prepare mate is to place the dried leaves inside the gourd then shake or lightly crush the herb. Next hot water is poured into the gourd and the tea is sipped through a metal straw with a filter that keeps the leaf fragments from passing through.
Health Effects
It has many health benefits similar to green tea. It can help with weight loss, suppress appetite and increase calorie burn. But drinking very hot the tea may increase cancer risks due to containing certain carcinogenic compounds. Pregnant women should use caution as too much caffeine increases miscarriage risk and risk of low birth weight babies.
So it’s no surprise that there is a huge population of dedicated drinkers in Miami and Florida in general.
Details
The tea leaves are from the holly Ilex paraguariensis plant native to South America. Its leaves are dried then soaked in hot water. Traditionally served communally in a shared gourd and sipped with a bombilla straw filtering out leaves. Scientific evidence highlights its potential benefits, but moderation is key.