Where is yerba mate found?
The tea is produced from holly leaves from an evergreen plant native to only a few regions in South America. The plant can grow in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from leaves grown in the shade of the rainforest.
Indigenous peoples in these areas have been drinking the South American tea for centuries as an energizing beverage with medicinal properties. Although preparations vary, the culture transcends borders.
The drink is consumed in varying forms throughout Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and Chile. The goddess Yasí proclaimed the plant a symbol of friendship. Today it is typically enjoyed communally.
Native Growing Regions
The South American tea comes from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay where it has been used by different groups of people. Its natural range includes an oval-shaped area overlapping the northern tip of Argentina, southwestern Brazil, and southeastern Paraguay. At the heart of this region where the three countries meet is the Falls of Iguazú.
You can find traditional blends in most grocery stores and specialty tea shops, with over 90% containing the leaves and twigs of the plant. When to drink varies, but the most common way is to continuously sip it for several hours.
Effects of Drinking Mate Tea
Does the tea give you a buzz?
Where to Find Yerba Mate Blends
The herbal tea is from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The leaves are dried over a fire and infused in hot water. This tea has varying taste depending on how it is prepared and processed. The taste depends on the brand chosen. It tastes bitter thanks to the tannins. Many people enjoy this flavor, while others prefer to balance it with mint, honey, milk or citrus. We have tested dozens of brands, in various forms, flavors and prices. Here are the best ones: Best Overall – U.S. Wellness Naturals Tea.
The drink is popular in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and South American countries where the plant occurs naturally. Like coffee and teas, it stimulates the nervous system and boosts energy with a steady rise without the jitters.
Origins and Processing
The herbal tea grows from holly leaves of an evergreen plant native to South America. The best tasting one is from rainforest shade leaves. I have been drinking it for over three years, buying online as stores have limited options.
Popularity in South America
The South American drink is drunk in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. Although preparations vary, the culture transcends borders. It was proclaimed a symbol of friendship and is often enjoyed communally, connecting people.
Availability Outside South America
Is the tea only in California?
Despite just recently gaining popularity in California, it has been consumed in South America for centuries. The Guarani people indigenous to Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil began using the plant in therapeutic treatments before Columbus arrived.
The drink can be found online, in health food stores, specialty tea shops, South American markets and even some supermarkets. There are over 50 brands available on Amazon with organic, fair trade and sustainably sourced options. It can be enjoyed in various ways – traditional gourd and bombilla, ready-to-drink cans and bottles, eco-friendly packaging and do-it-yourself methods.
Plant Information
The plant is an evergreen that grows best in the shade of the South American rainforest. The leaves are harvested and processed to make tea that has more antioxidants than green tea. In Brazil it is used to boost energy, aid digestion, relieve nerve pain, depression, fatigue and support weight loss.
Health Benefits
Is the drink actually good for you?
The tea is produced from holly leaves. The best tasting one comes from leaves grown in the rainforest shade. Because it contains caffeine, it won’t be the best choice for everyone. It can interfere with some medications.
I’m going to speak more about its benefits, where it’s available, and where you can find it if you physically head out to a supermarket. The herbal tea is made by steeping dried leaves from the holly tree in hot water. People in South America believe that drinking it brings people together; it’s customary to share a gourd filled with this infusion with family and friends.
There is an official way to prepare it with a traditional mate gourd and straw. In many South American countries, it’s almost a social event to sit together and drink mate from a shared gourd.
When consumed in moderation, it can be drunk by anybody. Drinking it is as much a practical thing as it is a social one. But the most common way is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves or water as necessary. In addition to caffeine, it contains antioxidants, which provide benefits when consumed – including potential anti-cancer properties.