When is the best time to drink yerba mate?
Yerba is a plant used to make a beverage called mate. It is traditionally consumed in regions of South America. Yerba contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. Consuming too much yerba may not be good. Some research links yerba to increased cancer risk, but more studies are needed.
In South America, drinking 1-2 liters of yerba per day is common. How much you drink depends on your tolerance and preference. As an herb like mint or oregano, the Earth provides yerba generously. We enjoy herbs without worrying about consumption. With coffee, most never consider how much to drink—it’s consumed all day! Mate seems to be an adaptogen – an herb that helps the body handle stress.
When drinking yerba, following traditional customs and sharing with friends is crucial for appreciating its cultural significance. Imagine sitting around a campfire, passing the mate gourd and sharing stories. The basic cup for drinking mate is a gourd. You add yerba and hot water and sip through a metal straw called a bombilla. Drinking mate this way is integral to rural and urban culture in parts of South America.
Research on health benefits of yerba is mixed. It may boost energy, focus, heart health, and immunity while suppressing appetite. However, Mayo Clinic suggests regularly drinking large amounts of very hot yerba for a long time could increase cancer risk. More research is needed, but avoiding overconsumption and high temperatures is recommended. Those with sleep issues should restrict consumption after 6 pm since yerba contains caffeine comparable to coffee.
How much yerba mate should I use per cup?
The amount of yerba you use per cup depends on personal preference, the size of your cup, and your taste buds. On average, most people use 2-3 tablespoons of yerba per cup. However, some people may use more or less depending on their preference.
Yerba contains caffeine so be aware of this while consuming.
Yerba is packed with a range of vitamins. It’s enjoyed in social gatherings, often in nature. People gather and share one gourd with a bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
With a French press you can adjust the strength by choosing how much yerba you use and steeping time from 1 to 3 minutes. Experiment to find what you like.
Yerba contains caffeine like coffee but causes less of a crash afterward, due to theobromine. It provides mental alertness without the coffee crash.
How much caffeine is in yerba mate?
Two teaspoons of yerba contains 30-50 milligrams of caffeine. When consumed in moderate amounts, caffeine can increase alertness, improve focus, and boost energy levels. However, caffeine sensitivity varies. Some may experience increased heart rate, insomnia, or jitteriness. It’s important to consider your own sensitivity when consuming yerba or any caffeinated beverage. Yerba contains other compounds like theobromine and theophylline. As with any dietary choice, it’s important to consume yerba in moderation.
Yerba has a diuretic effect. It reduces fluid retention and improves renal function.
Yerba is a natural plant like any other tea or vegetable. It’s proven to contain a unique powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, saponins, and more. Too much of anything is almost never good. The cancer risk is still unclear. Yerba may help prevent cancer because of its healthy compounds. Only drinking mate at extremely hot temperatures has been proven to increase cancer risk.
Besides caffeine, green tea has a lighter, arid taste and shorter steep time than yerba. Both have antioxidants. Yerba contains the antioxidant chlorogenic acid.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons (7-14g) yerba per 8 oz (240 ml) water.
- Heat water to 160-180°F (70-80°C).
- Fill cup two-thirds with leaves, shake gently to remove dust.
- Pour in water. Steep 3-5 minutes before sipping.
Yerba consumption mainly depends on your own tolerance and preference. Yerba is an herb, like oregano, mint, parsley. Adaptogenic herbs like yerba pose little danger at two to three cups per day. Overall it’s better to limit caffeine intake and consult your doctor about consuming yerba.
When drinking yerba, different people have their own preferences for how much to use per cup, normally 1-2 tablespoons in both larger and smaller cups. You may decide you only need a teaspoon instead of two. Seasoned mate drinkers reuse leaves several times a day!
Yerba generally has less caffeine than coffee but more than most green teas, at about 85 milligrams per cup. It can provide a moderate energy boost.