Maté is a plant species native to South America. Its leaves are used to make a caffeine-containing beverage. The beverage is prepared by steeping dried leaves in hot water. It is a traditional drink in parts of South America, where it is known as mate, chimarrão, or cuia.
Maté has a long history of traditional use. Indigenous Guaraní communities cultivated yerba mate and viewed the plant as a gift. Today it remains part of the culture in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.
The flavor is often described as grassy or herbaceous. It can be consumed on its own or flavored with milks, juices, sweeteners, and other herbs. Compared to coffee, maté offers a milder caffeine boost that is less likely to cause jitters or disrupt sleep. However, maté still contains stimulants and can potentially cause side effects if over-consumed.
Maté is touted as having various health benefits, like supporting weight loss, concentration, and digestion. However more research is still needed on its effects. The many active compounds may contribute to its invigorating qualities.
Overall, maté is appreciated both for its rich cultural role and as a unique, versatile beverage that offers stimulating properties along with great flavor.
Maté tea is made by steeping dried leaves from the holly tree in hot water. This plant grows abundantly in South America – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay are major producers of yerba mate. Maté tea has 85 mg of caffeine for every 8 fluid oz. That is, it has slightly less caffeine than a generic cup of coffee, but then it also boosts your energy levels.
- Maté is a plant that is part of the holly genus species found in South America. Referred to as the “drink of the Gods”, in some regions, it is even more popular than coffee.
- Organic yerba may cost slightly more than non-organic, but the benefits are worth the higher price.
There are countless maté gourds out there for your use. It all comes down with how fancy you want to get with it. And if you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to keep it simple at first.
Still wondering why you should incorporate maté into your life? Let us give you some compelling reasons:
- Boosts energy.
Maté tea has been said to offer the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate.” First, let’s take a look at the many evidence-based mental and physical health benefits of maté tea.
Because maté tea contains a decent amount of caffeine, it won’t be the best choice for everyone. People with irritable bowel syndrome or anxiety may experience more side effects from the caffeine in maté tea.
You drink mate with a metal straw. The flavor can actually vary quite a bit, depending on how the leaves were processed and how you prepare the drink.
Maté is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are commonly brewed into a tea known as mate. This caffeinated drink was first popular among indigenous peoples like the Guarani. Now it is widely consumed in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.
Maté contains compounds like caffeine, theobromine and antioxidants. It is considered to have some medicinal benefits. However, drinking too much maté over long periods may increase certain health risks.
- This plant remains an important part of South American culture. Many in South America still drink mate daily, more often than coffee.
- Mate is cultivated in its native regions without using chemicals. Wild grown mate is considered the best quality. Organic mate is also available for those concerned about chemicals.
To prepare, add leaves to a cup until half full and lightly swirl. Tilt so leaves gather to one side, then add hot water. Sip through a bombilla straw to filter out leaves.