Guarani Indians were first to recognize the healing properties of the mate.
They drank abundant amounts of tea to reduce fatigue, stimulate the mind and spirit, detoxify the blood and even restore the natural color of hair from younger years.
Charles Darwin has labeled it as “an excellent stimulant”, although history doesn’t disclose if this relates to his youthful hair color. Do you wonder what does mate taste like?
If you are looking for natural stimulants that are free from side effects and toxins, this drink is currently the #1 choice.
It stimulates the body and mind; it is a natural source of nutrients, which makes it great for appetite control and the world promoter of “par excellence”.
For these reasons, it deserves the attention of all those who are interested in their health and optimal well-being. Find out how does it taste.
What does mate taste like?
Mate or Yerba mate is very popular in the South America countries because of its taste and beneficial effects.
It is therefore not surprising that this tea has become a national drink in many Latin American countries. It is a popular beverage in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Lionel Messi also drinks it.
The taste is highly herbal and grassy, it reminds of some subspecies of green tea. It is most acceptable and pleasant for people, but it can be very bitter if the beverage is prepared with boiling water (which is why it is prepared with hot water).
Unlike most teas, the taste doesn’t become bitter and astringent if the drug is in the hot water for a long time, and the leaves can be re-used again. You have various aromatic varieties of mate available.
Chá mate – a sweet version of the tea
There is a roasted version of the drink that is drunk in Brazil. They call it chá mate, and it is available in filter bags or in bulk. It is served in specialized cafes and it is usually sweet.
It can be warm or cold, served with fruit juice or milk. A cold, sweet version of roasted mate is sold as a non-carbonated drink, available in a variety of fruit flavors (but also without additional taste).
Aromatic mate batido
Roasted mate is less bitter and has a more aromatic odor. If you shake it, it becomes creamy. This type of beverage is called mate batido.
It is popular in coastal Brazilian cities, while it is being prepared in a traditional way (from a pumpkin) in the southern part of Brazil.
What is mate tea good for?
It contains matein (it has similar effects as caffeine, but due to its uniqueness it is called matein). This stimulant will keep you awake without the side effects of caffeine.
It contains more caffeine than green tea and less than coffee, but nevertheless it gently acts on the body as a strong stimulant that keeps you awake.
Relaxes and stimulates
It contains theobromine and theophylline. Theobromine (also found in chocolate) has a relaxing effect on our body.
Drinking this tea also stimulates the formation of dopamine, which, in addition to improving well-being, also improves motivation and concentration.
Yerba mate contains a lot of minerals and antioxidants. According to some studies, it should contain more antioxidants than green tea. Why is this drink so popular in countries where they drink it every day?
It has a bunch of positive, health-beneficial features. Like ginseng, mate acts as a natural stimulant, strengthens the heart and circulatory system, and stimulates liver function and the secretion of toxic substances from the body.
It also strengthens the immune system and acts anti-inflammatory.
Helps with fat loss
But not only this, but it is also known to reduce appetite, promote metabolism and increase fat burning.
Due to the weight loss properties, the “drink of gods” is increasingly being claimed as a useful drink for the loss of excess pounds.
Many doctors have been successfully including the herb in therapeutics in overcoming obesity for years.
Yerba mate preparation
It is traditionally prepared in a gourd or cuia. We sip this drink from a metal straw with the name bombilla. Fill the cuia with up to a third with crushed leaves and pour hot water (not boiling) over the leaves.
Leave the beverage to stand for about three minutes, and then sip it over the straw. You can use the same leaves again and re-use them as long as there is still aroma in the crushed leaves.
Prepare it as a tea
Otherwise, you can prepare mate as a tea. Put a teaspoon of mate leaves and pour them with a cup of boiling water, leave for 3-5 minutes and strain it.
Drink it without additives or add roasted sugar and/or lemon juice as the South Americans do.
You can also try traditional mate with milk. If you don’t have a gourd and bombille, you can prepare your drink as you usually do.
Drink it instead of a morning coffee
The Yerba mate (as the locals call it) also contains caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, known for the stimulants found in tea, coffee, and chocolate.
A stimulating combination of stimulants with coffee power clarifies your thoughts and wakes your mind, but doesn’t cause any unpleasant effects that can occur when you drink too much coffee.
It contains less caffeine than coffee (and more than green tea), but it works more effectively to maintain focus and long-lasting concentration due to the stimulant content.
So you can enjoy the natural stimulus of your mind without shaking or restlessness.
The drink contains almost all the vitamins and minerals that are needed to sustain life. It is called a “drink of gods” or “green gold of the Indians” in South America due to the fact that the mate plant contains 11 vitamins and minerals and 15 amino acids (almost all substances necessary for life).
Try it today and enjoy the unique taste and its health benefits.
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