The herbal tea is a type of tea made from the leaves of the Ilex Paraguariensis plant, which is native to South America. It’s been consumed for centuries by indigenous communities in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil as a social and medicinal beverage. In recent decades, its popularity has spread beyond these countries due to its reported health benefits and unique flavor profile. The Ilex Paraguariensis or herbal tea plant is mainly grown in the humid subtropical region of Argentina, in the provinces of Misiones and Corrientes, where rainfall reaches about 1800 millimeters per year and there is an average temperature of 21oC. These plants also need the red soils found in these regions, which provide the appropriate minerals and acid level.
The Art of Preparing Mate
Making the herbal tea is a ritual that requires precision and patience. The container, often adorned with intricate designs, is filled just over halfway with the herbal tea. After some strategic shaking to bring the finer particles to the top, cold water is added to preserve the mate’s flavors. Consumption in Argentina rises up to 14 pounds a year per capita. It is ingested in 90% of the country’s households and more than a pound is included monthly in the basic food basket. Argentinians usually drink it for breakfast (with fruit juice) or just before sunset. They drink it hot or cold depending on the weather. But more than a habit, getting together to matear forges emotional links between people. And it takes the Argentinians back to their roots.
The herbal tea is an evergreen tree that grows in the subtropical region of South America. It grows up to 8 meters, 26 feet tall. But it has been known to grow as high as 18 meters (60 feet). The herb comes from the forests of Paraguay and Southern Brazil. It was known as a gift from the gods to enhance stamina, a priority from a historical nomadic, warrior society.
South Americans drink upwards of 1–4 liters of the herbal tea per day. In United States, Canada, and Europe, it’s 1–2 liters per day. The herbal tea gives you an euphoric feeling that’s similar to eating chocolate. It works to soften stool and stimulate bowel movements.
The herbal tea’s range includes 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. The herbal tea prefers high temps and humidity with heavy rainfall. This makes Florida’s summer climate ideal.
The herb comes from the forests of Paraguay and Southern Brazil. It was known as a gift from the gods to enhance stamina, a priority from a historical nomadic, warrior society.
The herbal tea is a species of the holly genus, with the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis. It is used to make the beverage known as mate. When served cold, the drink is called tereré. Unless you are sensitive to caffeine, you will feel the stimulation long after drinking the herbal tea. It has adaptogenic properties to regulate the body’s systems.
The herbal tea is native to only a few regions in South America. The plant grows in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from rainforest shade leaves.
If you’re new to the herbal tea, start with brands from Argentina. Argentina the herbal tea has adaptogenic properties. It provides steady stimulation without jitters or crashes.
The herbal tea seeds need digestion by specific native birds to germinate. This makes commercial growing difficult, so the herb is precious. We’ve tested dozens of the herbal tea brands for flavor, processing method, and price. The best overall is U.S. Wellness Naturals. Rosamonte Special Selection is a close second.
The herbal tea originated in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. Indigenous peoples drank it for centuries as an energizing, medicinal beverage. It’s now popular worldwide.
We compiled the best the herbal tea teas and finest ways to enjoy them. Taragui is one of the oldest brands. Sipping the herbal tea continuously releases more flavor and nutrients. It’s commonly enjoyed socially in nature while passing one gourd and bombilla.
Argentina has the highest the herbal tea consumption per capita globally. It’s ingested in 90% of households. Argentinians often drink it for breakfast or before sunset, hot or cold. Canned, bottled and energy drink the herbal tea is also popular for on-the-go drinking. More than a habit, mate brings people together and connects them to their roots.
The herbal tea is a caffeinated drink with Indigenous origins. This bitter, herbal, tea-like beverage is brewed from the leaves of a native species of holly tree found in the forests of South America. Over the centuries, its popularity in Argentina faltered as coffee and tea took hold. However, because of its unique qualities and distinctive flavor, it has seen a resurgence since the 1980s. In fact, the herbal tea is so popular that South American soccer players brought over 1,000 pounds with them to the World Cup last year.
The Guarani believed the herbal tea was a gift from the gods. They were farmers, and the rainforest soil was easily depleted. So every few years they moved their fields and homes. According to legend, an old farmer in ill health decided to stay put. After carefully selecting seeds from the best plants, life begins for the herbal tea plants in a nursery. Young plants go through a multiplication process sheltered from direct sunlight.