What does drinking yerba mate do?
Ilex paraguariensis is a small evergreen bush native to South America. The leaves are used to make the tea, a popular beverage in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Chile. Beyond its cultural significance, yerba mate contains antioxidants and nutrients that provide health benefits. It surpasses even green tea in health-promoting properties.
To prepare the infusion, the dried leaves are placed in a gourd and steeped in hot water. A metal straw with a filter, called a bombilla, is used to drink the tea. The drink can be enjoyed hot or cold depending on the weather. It contains caffeine but does not cause jitters like coffee. Instead, it has adaptogenic properties to regulate the body’s systems.
Argentinians consume it daily, up to 14 pounds per person annually. Over 90% of households drink it, and it’s considered part of the basic food basket. Beyond a morning or evening ritual, sharing mate connects people emotionally and culturally. The etiquette around preparing and passing around mate reinforces these social bonds.
Does yerba mate give you a buzz?
The drink contains caffeine and can provide an energy boost. Compared to other popular stimulants, the infusion reportedly provides a balanced energy increase described as gentle, clean and calm.
South Americans may safely drink 1-4 liters of yerba daily. In North America and Europe, avid drinkers often consume 1-2 liters daily. It is commonly drunk in the morning but in South America it’s consumed throughout the day.
The caffeine and theobromine boost mental function and motivation by stimulating dopamine production. Possible side effects of drinking large amounts for long periods include increased cancer risk.
Is yerba mate just green tea?
Ilex paraguariensis is a South American plant. Camellia sinensis, mostly grown in Asia and Africa, is used for making tea. Ilex paraguariensis and Camellia sinensis have great potential. The infusion has more caffeine than green tea. It gives smooth, sustained energy without jitters from high caffeine. There are differences in nutrients too.
Argentinians drink it mostly for breakfast or before sunset, hot or cold. More than a habit, getting together to matear forges emotional links. It takes Argentinians back to roots.
The infusion is caffeinated like coffee and green tea. But it does not make the drinker jittery. It gives stimulation long after drinking. Coffee drinkers suffer crashes. The beverage regulates the body’s systems.
In countries where consumed, its importance matches coffee shops and tea ceremonies. It’s popular in Uruguay, where people walk sipping mate while carrying hot water.
The drink is prepared uniquely, brewed continuously, not strained. It honors an infusion tradition. The taste is vegetal, earthy, herbaceous, bittersweet. Flavor varies subtly.
Yerba mate is a tea, an infusion of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. That gives a coffee boost in smaller amount. Initially from Paraguay but popular in South America. It’s different from other teas.