What does it taste like drink?
The plant has an earthy, woodsy, or grassy taste. Some describe this as the taste of green or pu-erh tea. Some enjoy this grassy taste, while others prefer adding lemon, honey, or milk to tone it down. The taste ultimately depends on the brand and how it is prepared. Let’s take a closer look at the different possible taste profiles. It has a bitter taste thanks to the tannins it contains. Depending on the brand you choose, you could have a strong bitter flavor, or a slightly milder taste.
Therefore, in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, including it in your daily life is an excellent way to lower your levels of bad cholesterol. The taste can be overwhelming at first, but it is an herbal infusion, so you can expect an herbal tea-like taste from any kind. In general, it is more bitter, more pronounced and bolder than green tea or other herbal teas. I would describe the taste as a bitter earthy tobaccoey and sweeter green tea but bold and tart like a black tea with effects of coffee.
Is it just green tea?
It is a herbal tea brewed from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree native to South America. This infusion shows potential in boosting mental and physical performance as well as aiding in weight loss. It contains more caffeine than green tea but won’t cause energy crashes. It provides smooth, sustained energy.
It and green tea are very different plants sharing great potential. It has more nutrients than green tea. It contains chlorogenic acid, an antioxidant also found in green coffee beans.
To prepare it, leaves are brewed in warm water then sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla. The flavor is intense and bitter compared to green tea’s delicate, earthy flavor.
While green tea and it promote health, studies show it has more antioxidants and nutrients.
Does it give you a buzz?
It provides an energizing experience with its organic and fair trade ingredients. It has a unique flavor mix that offers a refreshing alternative to regular energy drinks.
It is far more than just a drink. Being offered it is a sign of respect and in many instances, a great way to make new friends on the road.
There are 4 main components that make up drinking it:
- The basic cup is made from a gourd and can be simple or elaborately designed.
- The metal straw strains the leaves so you can easily suck up just the brewed tea.
- Then it is drunk through a metal straw known as a bombilla but can sometimes have a different name depending on what country you’re in.
It is drunk from a single hollowed out gourd called a calabash or mate. It comes in all kinds of shapes and styles, and utilizes bombilla: a thick, curved straw with a filter at one end. Any authentic one requires these tools for proper preparation. First, a kettle of water is heated but not boiled! The vessel remains tilted keeping all the herbs to one side, then the bombilla is inserted into the mate, still held at an angle.
When it’s cold, the mate is served with hot water.
Its caffeine is known to increase alertness in individuals and keep their minds sharp even in wake of physical exhaustion. It can also help prevent sleep in people who are forced to deprive themselves of rest. This property has made it a popular addition to energy drinks.
In United States, Canada, Europe, it’s not uncommon for an avid drinker to consume at least 1-2 liters per day.
Research suggests it may help weight loss. It has diuretic and slightly laxative effect: it reduces fluid retention and improves renal function helping body eliminate toxins and purify itself naturally. This diuretic effect is completely natural.
These grounded leaves called it sold in all supermarkets.
Is it healthier then coffee?
It is known for its rich, earthy flavor and high caffeine content. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients.
In addition to caffeine, it also contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Many people believe it offers a more sustained energy boost than coffee, due to the combination of caffeine and other natural stimulants.
Drinking it tea provides some of the improved focus and mood benefits of drinking coffee, but to a lesser degree. It is less acidic than coffee.
There’s a trend toward healthier products, with people searching for it as a coffee substitute. Coffee and it both provide antioxidants and stimulants. But it may pose less health risk than coffee for some people.