History and folklore
The herbal tea is an herb native to South America. Originally defended by the Guarani, who considered it a divine drink. The origins of the herbal tea are filled with folklore. Today, this delicious drink is still being enjoyed all over the world, especially in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. The herbal tea is gradually becoming more popular in Europe.
Imports to Europe
In 2019, the European Union imported over 5 million euros worth of the herbal tea. This represents an increase of 12.8% compared to 2018. The herbal tea is produced from holly leaves from an evergreen plant native to only a few regions in South America. The best tasting mate comes from leaves grown in the shade of the rainforest.
Traditional preparation
Before Spanish colonization, natives of South America consumed mate by chewing the plant’s leaves. Over time, a type of herbal tea from the plant’s leaves became popular with cowboys in South America. Mate is a traditional drink obtained by infusing the leaves of the Ilex Paraguariensis tree cultivated in Latin America.
Availability in the US
The herbal tea is widely available in U.S. health food stores and online. Some side effects have been seen in users that consume over 1-2 liters per day. This includes increased anxiety, irregular heartbeat, intense headaches and a higher risk of certain cancers. When consumed in moderation, the herbal tea can be drunk by anybody.
Botanical information
- Botanical name: Ilex paraguariensis
- Native to regions of South America
- First cultivated and used by indigenous Guaranà people
- Provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients
To grow the herbal tea in the United States, tropical conditions are needed since the plant requires high temperature and humidity.
While similar, the herbal tea is technically not tea. Its caffeine content varies. Argentine the herbal tea features more stems, giving a softer taste versus brands from Uruguay and Brazil.
Consumption
The dried leaves of the herbal tea plant are mainly consumed in:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Paraguay
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Ecuador
- Uruguay
Most often, the leaves are prepared in a hot infusion beverage drunk from a gourd or other container through a straw, which places very hot fluid at the oropharynx and esophagus.
In Uruguay and Argentina, we learned just how integral it is to the national identity and took our first tentative sips.
The herbal tea (maté), is a species of the Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae), native to subtropical South America. The plant is harvested and brewed similar to tea, to make a specialty beverage popular throughout South America.