The South American herb is used to make a popular tea-like beverage. The leaves are dried, aged, and ground into a powder. When brewed correctly, it has a smooth, earthy flavor with grassy vegetal notes. It contains caffeine and antioxidants.
The herb is traditionally drunk from a gourd using a special straw that strains the powder to the bottom. It is often consumed in social gatherings. In countries like Argentina, drinks are more popular than coffee.
Storage and Freshness
When stored properly in a cool, dark place, unopened packages can last around 2 years before losing freshness. Signs of stale tea include faded color, unusual smell, mold, and crumbly dry texture. Always check expiration dates on packaged products.
To test for freshness, inspect the color, moisture, smell, and feel of the leaves. Good yerba mate smells mildly sweet and vegetal. The leaves should be olive green and slightly glossy with some flexibility. Brittle, yellowing leaves indicate staleness.
Caffeine and Health Benefits
If brewed using the traditional method, it can contain nearly twice as much caffeine as a cup of coffee. The caffeine content varies greatly depending on the amount of leaves used and the length of infusion time.
It has many reported health benefits including increased energy, enhanced mood, and better heart health markers. It provides antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Habitual drinking is common in parts of South America. The ritual of preparing and sharing it remains an important cultural tradition.
What color should the South American herb be?
It comes from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. Each country has its own distinct type. It should taste fresh and have a gentle bitter touch. The dust provides consistency and texture. To make good tea, we should prevent the dust from clogging the straw.
It will generally taste earthy and vegetal, with a signature bitter finish. How it’s harvested and prepared may change its flavor.
- It has antioxidants and various minerals.
- Its caffeine works differently than coffee.
- It comes with added health benefits.
- The herb tea is not necessarily “better” than coffee.
- There are differences in taste, caffeine, and makeup.
It is prepared traditionally in a "mate cup". Hot water is poured over them and the tea is sucked up through a metal straw that strains out the leaves.