To pronounce yerba mate properly, say "yehr-bah mah-teh". Mastering the pronunciation will allow you to order it accurately at cafes and restaurants.
The origin of this caffeine-rich drink traces back to the Guarani people in what is now Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil.
The indigenous peoples of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil have consumed the caffeinated beverage for centuries. Drinking the South American drink is a social and cultural tradition which brings families and friends together. Being offered mate is a sign of respect.
The South American drink is prepared by steeping dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree in hot water. The flavor is earthy, grassy, or woodsy with hints of fruit.
It is prepared similarly to other loose teas. An avid drinker can consume 10 to 20 to even 30 refills, depending on the gourd size and amount used. The yerba mate leaves can be easily purchased in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and some parts of Chile.
The plant can have a productive life of up to 100 years. The tea is prepared with the leaves from South America, which only grows in three countries: Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. Argentina is the world’s main producer.
There are some etiquette rules for drinking mate in a group:
- The mate gourd gets passed around, and this creates a bond between the people gathered there.
- Meeting up in nature is part of the tradition and ritual.
- Several people get together and share one gourd with just one metal straw called a bombilla.
It gives an energy boost without the nervousness that sometimes occurs with coffee. However, research hasn’t confirmed this benefit. It contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine per 150 milliliter cup, comparable to a cup of coffee.
In the liver, treatment normalized antioxidant enzyme activities and decreased lipid peroxidation. It also restored the steatosis level and the liver triglyceride content.
The caffeine content is 85 mg per 8.00 fl. oz cup. This means the caffeine levels are moderate compared to other drinks. The key to health is moderation.
It is considered to be the mixture of tea, coffee, and chocolate. It provides the strength of coffee, delight as that of chocolate and health benefits like that of tea.
Some studies indicate that people who drink large amounts over long periods may be at increased risk of some types of cancer, such as cancer of the mouth, throat and lungs.
You will feel the mind and body stimulation long after drinking it. Coffee drinkers often suffer a caffeine crash. It contains insane amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It helps you breathe better and makes you feel more euphoric and happy. It lowers cholesterol, improves circulation, increases focus and inspires creativity.
South Americans safely drink upwards of 1–4 liters of yerba mate per day. In United States, Canada, and Europe, avid yerba mate drinkers consume 1–2 liters per day. Traditionally consumed hot, it may be served cold.
It is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. The flavor is earthy, grassy or woodsy with hints of fruit. While it is most commonly prepared as a hot tea, some people use this plant to prepare cold teas, and some people just chew the leaves. It has many health benefits.
You should know how many cups you should drink per day. Before moving on to the amount of consumption, it is better to get familiar with it first. It is not as popular as tea and coffee worldwide. It provides the strength of coffee, the delight of chocolate and the health benefits of tea.
Argentinians usually drink it for breakfast or just before sunset. They drink it hot or cold depending on the weather.