This South American drink is made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains caffeine and more antioxidants than any tea-based beverage. The Indigenous Guaraní people of Paraguay, the first to consume this herb, considered it a gift from the gods.
Preparation
To prepare this drink, put two teaspoons of the dried leaves in a special cup called a mate. Shake the mate to mix the leaves, then discard any powder left on your hand. Add hot but not boiling water to moisten the leaves into a sticky paste. Insert a metal straw with a filter called a bombilla into the mate. Add more hot water from the side where the bombilla is located. You can start drinking through the bombilla until you finish the drink. More hot water can then be added to continue drinking, but the bombilla should remain in place.
This herb provides an energy boost due to its caffeine, but with less jitters than coffee. It may also aid metabolism and weight loss by increasing fat burning. Excess caffeine can disrupt sleep or cause anxiety though, so moderation is recommended, especially for pregnant women. The plant is mostly grown in shade and hand-picked in subtropical South American forests. It’s then aged 9-24 months in a controlled environment before being sold commercially in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and parts of Brazil.
Where to Buy
This herb is produced from holly leaves that is native to only a few regions in South America. The plant can grow in different settings, but the best tasting mate comes from leaves that have been grown in the shade. Whether you’re looking for more brands to try or stores able to ship to your country, the stores below have you covered.
To fully enjoy this experience, you may want to invest in some accessories such as a gourd or bombilla. These items can be found at many of the same locations where you purchased your mate or online retailers specializing in traditional South American drinkware.
Health Risks
Drinking very hot mate at temps of 149 degrees F or warmer is connected to higher cancer risks as it contains PAHs which are carcinogenic. Pregnant women should speak to their doctors before drinking mate as too much caffeine increases miscarriage and low birth weight risk.
Comparison to Coffee
Compared to coffee, yerba mate may be a better choice for some people. The herb is considered a gift to enhance stamina. It’s thought to fight stress and support immune function. The aroma complements the taste, creating a refreshing experience.
This herbal tea is made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains caffeine, antioxidants, polyphenols such as flavonoids and tannins, and other compounds. These provide potential health benefits including anti-cancer properties. The antioxidants also reduce inflammation.
This tea is typically consumed from a container called gourd and sipped with a metal straw that filters the leaf fragments floating on the surface. The gourd is shared from one person to another as a sign of friendship. Many people drink this tea for its benefits and for the energy and focus it provides.
What Makes Great Yerba Mate
Defining a great yerba mate is about personal tastes more than quality. Traditional yerba mate varies by region. Too much caffeine causes side effects. Pregnant women should consult doctors before drinking it.
My Favorite Recipe
I find this recipe provides the best focus and energy. The steps are: Boil water, place 6 tsps yerba mate in a french press, and brew. Taragui is an old Argentinian brand with high-quality yerba mate. The taste is bitter, smoky, acidic. When preparing Taragui, you’ll notice rough-cut leaves and stems.
Cruz de Malta is a mild yerba mate from Argentina, good for beginners. It has no stems or bitterness, just a smoky taste. You can buy it flavored, like with orange. It’s inexpensive and you can make one serving last. Guayaki is a Brazilian brand that sources yerba mate from Uruguay’s high-quality trees. The flavor is smoky, creamy, bitter. It provides a strong energy boost.