Where is yerba mate found

Several chronicles tell us about their technique to drink yerba mate. They would put the whole leaves and hot water in a gourd and waited for the yerba mate to release its properties. They chewed and ate the green yerba mate leaves.

The Ilex paraguariensis leaves were also used to make an alcoholic beverage called kukuai. The Kaingang people lived in the south of Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. As in other groups, the yerba was drunk as a tea or infusion and had a role in ceremonies and rituals. In fact, they would gather in a circle to share it.

They would use a gourd or a horn as a cup, where they would put whole leaves and hot water. Then, after a while, they would drink the water and chew the leaves. Pampas is a term that encompasses many tribes that lived in the central part of Argentina, such as the puelches, taluhets, and chechehets, among others. It is captivating to know how these people consumed yerba mate even though no Illex grows in the area.

In addition to being consumed, yerba mate was considered a valuable asset and it was used to exchange other goods with tribes from the south of the continent. According to Daniel Vidart, Mapuche people also drank mate as part of a social gathering. This was particularly relevant in the community of Pulil, in the south of Chile. There, families would get together around a fire to drink mate and talk about their day.

The woman would be the one serving the mate for the rest of the group. This tradition of one person in charge of the mate for the whole group still continues today. Yerba mate and similar types of Ille have been drunk by many different cultures from the US to southern Chile and Argentina.

Being as part of ceremonies or magical rituals, or as a social event, there is no denying on the significance of the drink for South Americans. As we have mentioned before, they drank it with similar tools and techniques as we do today. The Quechua people used the term mati , which means cup. According to one theory, Spanish conquerors heard both terms and chose the latter because it was easier to say and remember.

There are several different hypotheses around its origin. However, they all have in common that in fact, mate never referred to the drink. Apparently, Spanish conquerors misunderstood the term for the cup and the drink, using the first as the latter. While the original gourds were small bowls or cups made from hollow, dried-out squash, modern day gourds may be made out of metal, ceramic or wood.

Cold water is then poured into the gourd a little at a time so it has time to absorb into the herbs and prepare them for the infusion. Hot water or sometimes cold, but never boiling is then poured over the herbs to fill the gourd.

The herbs infuse into the water to produce a tea-like beverage. The infused yerba mate herbs are not strained out from the water as with tea or coffee. The bombilla acts as both a straw and a sieve, so the liquid can be sipped while the herb bits are left in the gourd. Traditionally, yerba mate is prepared in one gourd that is shared; this is part of the social and cultural experience of drinking yerba mate.

Each guest sips down a gourd of mate and returns it to the cebador to prepare another for the next guest in the circle.

This is a traditional ritual of friendship and hospitality. While gourd preparation is still the preferred way to drink yerba mate in South America, modern day methods work as well. Many companies marketing yerba mate as an herbal tea sell it in pre-packaged tea bags and as a loose leaf herb.

Yerba mate can be steeped similar to a traditional tea in a tea cup, teapot, French press or coffee maker. Pyramid teabags allow extra space for the yerba mate herb to infuse with hot water, so you end up with a more flavorful brew. And a single pyramid bag can even be steeped two to three times.

While mate is infused into various cultures across the continent of South America, the tradition of sipping yerba mate can be different by country. Each has its own culture around preparing and sipping yerba mate. Yerba mate is often described as earthy, vegetal, herbaceous and bittersweet. Imagine a fresh rainforest floor and you can likely picture the flavor of yerba mate.

But the flavor of yerba mate can vary subtly based on growing regions, cultivation practices and brewing techniques. Many styles of yerba mate contain tender stems and branches from the tree, which can impart a woodsy flavor to the tea. If the plant is harvested late, it can be higher in tannins than a young plant, which can yield a more astringent and bitter herb.

Some producers roast the leaves and twigs for a toasted flavor. Others age the harvested herb in wood containers to impart even more layers of forest-like flavor.

The small green leaves give way to scents of fresh grass, wood and bark. And it brews into a soft, golden yellow liquor with a medium-bodied, toasted and earthy flavor. Yerba mate is often described as a beverage with the energy kick of coffee, the smooth flavor of traditional tea, the healing components of herbal tea and the feel-good factor of chocolate.

In fact, the yerba mate plant contains caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, the stimulants also found in coffee, tea and chocolate. As with any beverage made from a caffeinated plant, the caffeine content can vary depending on how the variety of plant, how it was processed and how the herb was brewed. Generally, the caffeine content of a yerba mate beverage is typically more than black tea but less than coffee.

Storing yerba mate properly will ensure that it will remain fresh as long as possible. If stored properly in a cool dark place, in an opaque airtight container, away from light and moisture, and far from pantry items like coffee and spices that can leach flavor into the herb, yerba mate can last anywhere from one to two years before it should be used or replaced.

For more information about how to best care for your tea, visit our How to Store Tea page. Ask your tea vendor for brewing instructions specific to the yerba mate you purchased. In the meantime, here are a few general yerba mate brewing tips:. Site Information.

Yerba mate may not be suitable for everyone, and drinking it regularly at very hot temperatures may increase your risk of certain cancers. However, this beverage also contains various beneficial compounds linked to impressive health benefits. Whether you dislike the taste, are trying to cut back on caffeine or just want something new, here are 9 delicious alternatives to coffee you should…. Caffeine is a natural stimulant consumed throughout the world.

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Herbal teas may do more than just soothe your stomach. They may also help lower your cholesterol. The recommended amount of caffeine is usually mg per day for healthy adults. Caffeine overdose may occur if you ingest more than this amount. A Matcha is a type of powdered green tea. It is very high in antioxidants, and has numerous health benefits for your body and brain.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Here are the top 8 health benefits of yerba mate. Share on Pinterest. What Is Yerba Mate? The leaves are typically dried over a fire, then steeped in hot water to make the tea. Sharing it from this traditional gourd is said to be a sign of friendship and bonding. Rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients. Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant nutrients, including 1 : Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants.

They include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate. Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the main health-promoting antioxidants in the tea. Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases. However, these testimonials have not yet been scientifically proven. May Enhance Physical Performance. The optimal amount of yerba mate to drink before exercise is currently unknown.