Should you drink yerba mate before or after eating?
This caffeine-rich concoction of chopped and dried leaves, prepared in a gourd and drunk through a straw, is Argentina’s beloved national drink. It delivers alertness without the jitters. Recently, it has become increasingly common to drink from cans, bottles, and energy drinks, allowing for consumption on the go.
Most people should avoid drinking it on an empty stomach, as this can cause side effects like acid reflux, nausea, anxiety, headaches, and heart palpitations. However, when consumed in moderation, it is loaded with antioxidants, making it an ideal addition to one’s diet.
Studies have shown drinking it can help treat obesity, decrease body weight gain, lower cholesterol and blood glucose levels. It also increases metabolism and energy levels.
You can also cold brew it like iced tea. A few brands offer pre-made bottled drinks, but check the labels to avoid added sugar.
While the traditional equipment provides the full cultural experience, you can prepare it at home in a variety of ways. The key is using fresh, cold filtered water and moistening it before adding hot water.
It provides an array of health benefits when consumed in moderation. So drink up and enjoy!
Rules and Traditions
It is a hot infusion brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub native to Paraguay, southern Brazil, and northeast Argentina. The goddess Yasí proclaimed the plant a symbol of friendship. “Drinking it is the link that connects everyone, that faithful companion that is there for the whole ride,” says Betina.
Today, over 90% of Argentine households have it in the pantry. “It goes above all of this. It is something that everybody drinks.” On average, Argentines consume 220 million kilograms per year, which is roughly seven and a half kilograms per person, per year.
Brewing a proper one starts with the basic ingredient: the youngest and greenest leaves of the plant, dried and then placed in a gourd made of ceramic or dried pumpkin. The short answer is that it is the equivalent of coffee to the Americans and black tea to the Brits. This preparation is their beloved national drink. It delivers the alertness of coffee without the jitters. But it can’t be reduced to comparisons. It has a character wholly, deliciously its own.
How Argentinians Drink Yerba Mate
It is a hot drink made from the leaves of a South American plant. It has a bitter taste and contains caffeine. It is very popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil, and Chile. People often drink it communally from a shared container called a gourd, using a metal straw. Drinking it is a social tradition that connects people.
- It provides an energy boost due to its caffeine content. Caffeine is linked to increased alertness, improved concentration, reduced fatigue, and better physical performance.
- It can be enjoyed at any time of day, on its own or blended with other ingredients.
- The traditions around preparing and drinking it create social connections.
Drinking Yerba Mate in the Afternoon
It contains compounds that help with relaxation. Drinking it in the late afternoon doesn’t interfere with sleep patterns, unlike coffee. It provides long-lasting energy and helps relax at the same time due to compounds which increase blood flow.
South Americans can drink it all day long, from morning to evening, and sometimes even before bed. When someone offers you it and you refuse, you’re seen as rude. Argentinians usually drink it for breakfast or just before sunset, hot or cold depending on weather.
Drinking large amounts for a long time increases some cancer risks. The straw has a screened filter to keep out leaves. Its consumption in Argentina rises up to 14 pounds per capita yearly. It’s ingested in 90% of households and over a pound is in the monthly basic food basket.