Yerba Mate Tea Coffee Alternative
Yerba mate or simply mate originates from South America – Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Bolivia. It’s made from the Yerba mate plant. The Guarani Indians of Paraguay and Argentina introduced the drink.
The brew somewhat resembles green tea with its vegetal and grassy flavor. If steeped in boiling water it can have a rather bitter taste, to product Yerba mate it’s usually recommended that the water be steaming hot but not at boiling point. Approximately 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit or 70-80 degrees Celsius is appropriate.
The tea can be purchased organically as leaves, flavored or blended with other herbs such as peppermint or citrus rind.
The drink has a smoky, bitter, woody flavor – an acquired taste described by some. Combined with steamed milk to add some sweetness.
Yerba mate contains naturally occurring caffeine and has a rejuvenating effect.
Benefits of Yerba mate:
- High chlorogenic acid antioxidant content
- Contains vitamins and minerals including:
- Vitamins B & C
- Magnese, potassium and zinc
- quercetin, theobromine and theophylline (beneficial plant compounds)
- Provides an energy boost without the coffee jolt
Many believe the beverage boosts immunity, cleanses and detoxifies the blood, prevents fatigue, stimulates the mind, tones the nervous system, lowers stress, controls appetite and treats insomnia.
Disadvantages/Cons of drinking Yerba mate:
- Studies have shown that increased consumption of Yerba mate can heighten the risk of some cancers including oesophagus, lungs, mouth, pharynx and larynx.
- Contains around 80mg of caffeine per cup
- Despite the marketing ploys stating that it contains more antioxidants than green tea, the antioxidants are different from those in green tea.
The plant produces small four-petal green and white flowers and berries.
It’s a very social drink in South America, with couples and even small groups collectively sharing the drink from a gourd with a bombilla straw.
Yerba mate can be roasted or unroasted. Roasted Yerba mate tastes somewhat like dark chocolate, although some of the nutrients are lost from this processing.