The South American tea is produced from holly leaves. The plant grows in rainforests. Wild leaves taste better but grow slower. In controlled settings, leaves grow quickly so harvest happens each winter.
The infusion has caffeine, theobromine, and antioxidants. These stimulate mind and body without crashing. It has less caffeine than coffee but more nutrition.
Yerba Mate Popularity and Traditions
The herbal drink is popular in South America. People share it socially in a ritual of hospitality. It’s common to see groups drinking the South American beverage.
Drinking very hot mate can cause cancer. But research on cancer risk is unclear. The infusion may help prevent cancer due to nutrients.
People used to drink it at breakfast or sunset. Now mate energy drinks are popular for convenience. But sharing traditional mate connects Argentinians to roots.
The South American tea gains popularity for health benefits. The mate plant is from South America. Leaves are used to make infusions.
Mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is typically consumed from a gourd called a "mate" and shared between friends as a social tradition.
The traditional serving size is 50 grams of mate per serving, equal to 2 tablespoons. However, serving sizes vary based on personal preference and cultural traditions.
When steeping mate, use 1 tablespoon of leaves per 8 ounces of 160-180°F water. Steep for around 5 minutes. For larger batches, steep the leaves in a French press.
The earthy, bitter taste and caffeine content of the herbal drink make it a popular energizing drink. It also provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that offer health benefits.
Though traditional in South American countries, mate is growing in global popularity. It can be consumed on its own or as an ingredient in various foods and beverages.
Studies use a dose of 3 cups of mate a day, for up to 60 days. It’s safe to drink up to 1.5 liters daily. But mate is a natural plant like any tea. Mate is proven to contain vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, saponins, and much more. Of course, too much of one thing is almost never good. Mate appears to be adaptogenic. South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters daily. In United States, Canada, and Europe, it’s not uncommon to consume 1–2 liters daily.
The amount you consume daily will mainly depend on your tolerance and preference. Mate is an herb like oregano and mint. With coffee, most people never consider how much to consume. As Mayo clinic suggests, regular long-term drinking increases cancer risk. This risk is high for smokers or people who drink alcohol. Consuming more than 10 cups daily might increase caffeine-related side effects. Mate contains caffeine, causing insomnia, upset stomach, increased heart rate.
Mate is possibly unsafe when taken in large amounts or long periods. If you want a healthy digestive tract, go for mate instead of coffee. We recommend 1-3 tablespoons per cup. The antioxidants in mate may help protect against chronic diseases, support weight loss by reducing appetite. However excessive consumption has negative effects.