What is yerba mate?
The yerba is a plant that grows in South America. It can be used to make a drink called mate. Mate is traditionally consumed in parts of South America like Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. The indigenous Guaraní people first cultivated the leaves before Europeans arrived in South America. Some people in Syria and Lebanon also drink imported yerba mate.
Preparing and Steeping Yerba Mate
To understand how to best make mate, we need to consider factors like water temperature and steeping time. These impact the flavor and strength. Longer steeping and hotter water make stronger mate, while quicker steeping and cooler water make milder mate.
The amount of herb used also affects the drink. It is ideal to fill a gourd half full with the leaves. Too much can overflow the gourd. Too little fails to achieve full flavor. Proper storage is also key. Keep the yerba in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place for one to two years maximum.
Drinking Yerba Mate Socially
When serving mate, it can be passed around in a group for a social experience unique to South American culture. However, sharing mate was discouraged during flu outbreaks as a precaution. Overall, moderating consumption to two or three mate drinks per day is recommended. Avoiding mate in the evening minimizes caffeine disruption of sleep patterns.
Effects and Shelf Life
How long does the herb’s effect last?
The effects last at least 90 minutes. The increase in pressure occurs within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
The yerba contains a moderate amount of caffeine, falling in between coffee and tea with 85 mg per cup. As with tea and coffee, the brewing time can affect how much caffeine is in each cup. It may increase your energy levels and make you feel less tired.
The shelf life depends on storage, but it can last 1 to 2 years stored properly in a cool, dry place, away from direct light and moisture. It’s best to store it in an airtight container to prevent spoilage. Signs of spoilage are a musty smell, discoloration or change in taste. The herb should be discarded if signs are present. It can last months in the fridge in an airtight container. It can be frozen but it’s best stored in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn.
So how did the yerba become popular in South America? The origins are filled with folklore. The leaves are native to South America and used to make the drink of Argentina, Paraguay, Uraguay and Brazil. In fact yerba mate is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee there.
Yerba Mate Components
Yerba mate is a small bush that produces evergreen leaves used to make the tea. The plant is native to southern parts of South America. There are 4 main components that make up drinking it:
- Gourd.
- Bombilla – A filtered metal straw.
- Hot water.
- The dried leaves.
Preparation and Consumption
The traditional way to prepare and drink it is in a gourd, known as the mate. The most common way of drinking yerba mate is to continuously sip it for several hours, adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients.
Yerba mate is an energizing, nutrient-rich infusion, sipped through a filtered straw straight out of a mate gourd. The tradition and ritual of drinking yerba mate brings people together. Several people get together and share one gourd with just one bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
Yerba mate is a plant native to South America. It is used to make a tea-like beverage popular in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.
To prepare it, fill a gourd about 3/4 full with the dried leaves. Add hot water and sip through a metal straw called a bombilla. The bombilla filters out the leaf particles.
The mate gourd and bombilla are passed around, with everyone sharing the same cup. This creates social bonds. Locals can drink 1-4 liters per day since it has health benefits. Though high consumption may increase cancer risk.
Mate has more smooth, sustained caffeine effects compared to coffee. It’s an "adaptogenic" herb that can regulate body systems. You can also mix mate with herbs to vary the flavor and effects.