Article: What is Yerba Mate?

The infusion called maté is prepared by steeping dry leaves (and twigs) of yerba maté in hot water, rather than in boiling water like black tea. It is a slightly more potent stimulant than coffee and much gentler on the stomach. Drinking maté with friends from a shared hollow gourd (also called amate or guampa in Spanish, or cabaça or cuia in Portuguese) with a metal straw (a bombilla in Spanish, bomba or canudo in Portuguese) is an extremely common social practice in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Chile, eastern Bolivia, Brazil and also Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

The flavor of brewed yerba maté is strongly vegetal, herbal, and grassy, reminiscent of some varieties of green tea. Many consider the flavor to be very agreeable. Unlike most teas, it does not become bitter and astringent when steeped for extended periods, and the leaves may be infused several times. Additionally, one can purchase flavored maté in many varieties.

In Brazil, a toasted version of maté, known as chá mate or “maté tea”, is sold in teabag and loose form, and served, sweetened, in specialized shops, either hot or iced with fruit juice or milk. The toasted variety of maté has less of a bitter flavor and more of a spicy fragrance. It is more popular in the coastal cities of Brazil, as opposed to the far southern states where it is consumed in the traditional way (green, drunk with a silver straw from a shared gourd).

Similarly, a form of maté is sold in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay in tea bags to be drunk in a similar way to tea. This is known in Spanish as mate cocido or cocido. In Argentina this is commonly drunk with breakfast or as part of merienda (roughly, afternoon tea), often with a selection of facturas (sweet pastries). It is also made by heating yerba in water and straining it as it cools.

In Paraguay, yerba maté is also drunk as a cold beverage. Usually drunk out of a cow’s horn in the countryside, tereré, as it is known in the Guaraní language, is served with cold or iced water. Medicinal herbs, known as “yuyos”, are mixed in a mortar and pestle and added to the water for taste or medicinal reasons. Tereré consumed in Paraguay may also be made as an infusion of yerba maté with grapefruit or lemon juice.

Excerpt taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate

 

Mate Factor Yerba Mate is hand harvested under the Paraná Pines of Southern Brazil at an elevation of 800 to 1500 meters above sea level. This subtropical forest consists of rolling hills with ravines, canyons and many creeks and rivers. The weather is cooler here, where the Mate trees thrive. Our Yerba Mate is a combination of cultivated trees (which grow up to about 12 feet tall) and our wild shade grown trees (which reach up to 60 feet tall and are more difficult to harvest). Both are grown and maintained organically and responsibly.

Southern Brazil has remained mostly unchanged since the immigration of the first European settlers of the area. It has begun feeling the effects of modern cities and industrial crop-raising in the last century, a practice that is being opposed strongly by the mate growers and small organic farmers. By purchasing Mate Factor Yerba Mate you are helping to preserve this unique region by supporting families who live and work together in harmony, with one another, their Creator and the land.

Excerpt taken from http://www.matefactor.ca/

 

12 Reasons to Drink Yerba Mate

A healthy coffee alternative

Energizes without caffeine

Combats fatigue

Increases mental alertness

Helps regulate sleep cycles

Burns calories

All natural appetite suppressor

Improves digestion

24 vitamins and minerals

Excellent source of anti-oxidants

Immune system booster

Calms the nervous system

“Mate Factor” Yerba Mate can be purchased at Kay’s Deli in both loose and tea-bag form. Available in many different varieties, come to Kay’s Deli and try some Yerba Mate today!