Mate is a plant native to South America. The leaves are used to make a tea-like drink popular in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. To prepare mate, the dried leaves are placed in a container called a gourd and hot water is poured over them. A metal straw with a filter on the end, called a bombilla, is used to sip the infusion.
The tradition of drinking mate began with the indigenous Guarani people and was later adopted by South American cowboys known as gauchos. Sharing mate is a social ritual that promotes bonding. The gourd is passed around, with each person sipping in turn.
Mate has a pungent, earthy flavor. It contains caffeine as well as antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Devotees drink it for its gentle energizing effect as well as health benefits. The caffeine provides a boost without causing jitters. Mate also aids digestion and may have fat-burning properties.
There are many styles of mate gourds, from simple to ornate. Leather, wood, silver and ceramic are common materials. Before use, natural gourds must be cured. Mate can also be prepared using a French press. The hot water temperature is important to prevent bitterness.
Mate is typically sipped continuously over several hours, adding more hot water as needed. The flavor evolves with each pour. It’s common to share one gourd among a group, refilling it from a thermos. Drinking mate together in nature is integral to its rituals and appeal.
Mate is a herbal tea from the leaves of a South American holly tree. It has a unique flavor and contains caffeine. To prepare mate: place the dried leaves in a special cup called a gourd, add hot water, then drink it through a metal straw that filters out leaves. Traditionally friends share one gourd, passing and refilling it. This method takes dedication but gives an authentic experience.
However we can prepare mate with common household items. Simply place leaves in a teapot, add hot water, steep for a few minutes, then pour through a strainer into your cup. This simpler method still makes delicious mate quickly. The caffeine gives you an energy boost.
Some key tips when brewing:
- use water at 160-180°F to avoid bitterness
- let steep at least 2 minutes to extract flavor
- You can mix in sweetener, lemon or milk to taste
Drink plain for the health benefits: antioxidants, increased metabolism to burn fat, appetite suppression.
Mate is an ancient South American herb rich in nutrients widely consumed as a tea. The youngest, greenest leaves are collected, dried, and placed in a mate – a traditional bowl made of ceramic or dried pumpkin.
To prepare mate, simply put leaves in the mate, add hot water, and sip through a bombilla – a metal straw. There are a few ways to prepare it. Traditionally, an experienced person assembles the mate to prevent it from losing flavor quickly. Mate has around 80mg caffeine per cup, comparable to coffee. It may boost energy without causing nervousness. Evidence also suggests mate may help heart health by reducing risk factors.
Mate is closely linked to gauchos – South American cowboys – who adopted the drink from native tribes. For gauchos, mate breaks are part of daily ranch life. The amount considered safe is 1-4 liters per day, though start slowly if sensitive to caffeine.
The average brewing time ranges between 3-5 minutes, 2 min when using cold water. Instead of opting for warm/hot water, add cool water on loose leaf herbs (generally at room temperature) then refrigerate overnight. This yields all tea properties with reduced bitterness/better floral notes yield effortlessly.
By ensuring that the water stays at a gentle simmer, I can maintain a steady and soothing temperature for the perfect mate experience. The shelf life of mate depends on how it’s stored, but it can generally last between 1 to 2 years if stored properly in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and moisture. It’s recommended to check the mate for signs of spoilage, such as a musty or mouldy smell, discolouration or a change in taste before discarding.
The most common way of drinking mate is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves or water as necessary. In regards to safety and hygiene, this tradition places the bond created between the people involved above any possible diseases one may carry. Today, folks can drink mate out of glass bottles, aluminum cans, little energy shots, “just add water” cups and more. Mate’s effect on obesity genes could indicate that it has an impact on both obesity treatment and prevention. The levels of caffeine and theobromine in mate are what determine if it breaks your fast or not.