How do you pronounce yerba mate?
To properly pronounce this South American drink, say “yehr-bah mah-tay”. The emphasis should be on the second syllable.
Some consider the flavor, resembling an infusion of vegetables, herbs and grass, to be enjoyable. But it is generally bitter if steeped in hot water.
On average, Argentines consume over seven kilos of the infusion per person annually. The leaves are defined by law as Argentina’s national infusion.
This holly species native to parts of South America is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions, primarily in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, southern and central-western Brazil, and southern Chile. It was first cultivated and used by the indigenous Guaraní people and some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization.
The plant provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients. It contains a mixture of caffeines as well as minerals to support nervous system function and B-vitamins to relax muscles.
In Argentina, consumption is very high, with the average person drinking over 14 pounds per year. Argentinians usually drink it in the morning or evening, either hot or cold depending on the weather. Sharing the drink is an important social custom that forges emotional connections between people.
It has a strong, earthy flavor similar to green tea. Coffee has a more bitter flavor. The plant contains about half the caffeine as coffee but also compounds that boost energy and improve cognitive function.
A cup typically has 85 milligrams of caffeine, less than coffee’s 95 milligrams. So it provides a gentler energy boost without the jitters or crash of coffee.
Both can aid weight loss. It may support weight management by suppressing appetite and boosting metabolism. However, these effects aren’t significant enough to replace diet and exercise.
While a cup of coffee contains 95 milligrams of caffeine, a cup of the South American drink has 78 milligrams. This makes it a choice for reducing caffeine intake without sacrificing stimulation.
It has theobromine which balances caffeine, provides prolonged energy without crash or heart palpitations. It’s a great alternative if sensitive to coffee.
To properly pronounce this drink, say “yehr-bah mah-tay”. While there are many ways to say it in Argentine Spanish, the most common is “yerba mate argentina.”
The leaves are dried and brewed into a caffeine-rich beverage.
If you want to know how to pronounce the South American drink, you’ve come to the right place. This beverage is pronounced “yer-bah mah-tay.”