Mate Tea

The importance that coffee has in our country, black tea in Great Britain, has the Yerba Mate tea in Argentina. Popular throughout Latin America, mate tea is made by steeping the dry leaves of the mate plant, Ilex paraguariensis, in special mate or cuia vessels from which it is drunk through a bombilla, a traditional silver straw with holes in the bottom that doubles as a spoon. Like green tea, the water with which it is poured reaches 70-80°C, and it is traditionally drunk in the company of family and friends, where one container is shared.

The tradition of drinking this ancient tea, which was first drunk by the Guaraní indigenous people of Latin America, carries with it several rules. It is drunk while sitting in company, the cuia is three-quarters full, and the cebador, the main person, is the first to drink, and then he passes it on. What is important in passing the drink is that you have to look in the eyes, so that you know that you are passing it with intention, and the bombilla must be facing the person to whom it is being handed. Also, if you want to drink, you must not say thank you, because in that case you are letting the other person know that you don't want to drink anymore.

In our part of the world, it has been popularized by its numerous health benefits, although some scientists claim that it has not been sufficiently researched. Once you get used to the strong, bitter and herbal taste that is often described as a smoky version of green tea, you will enjoy a drink that contains 15 different amino acids, minerals and vitamins such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, E, iron, calcium, magnesium, etc. (1)

It contains more antioxidants (2), such as saponins and polyphenols, than green tea and contains caffeine, which in combination with antioxidants provides a balanced increase in energy (3). For this reason, it is popular among athletes, people suffering from fatigue and students because it improves motivation and productivity (4). Author Tim Ferriss called yerba mate tea the best brain-enhancing substance because it's non-addictive and doesn't cause energy crashes.

Many people are attracted by the fact that it is recommended for weight loss because some studies (5) have proven that it reduces appetite, improves digestion, increases energy and burns fat faster. 

Some even believe that mate tea can help build stronger bones even without exercise, and recommend it for boosting the immune and cardiovascular systems (6) due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Mate tea - “the healthiest drink in the world”

Long story short, mate tea is considered one of the healthiest drinks in the world, rich in nutrients and with a moderate dose of caffeine, and is therefore recommended as a substitute for coffee. It carries with it a tradition that values ​​community, socializing and sharing.

But as we already know, there are always two sides of the medal, so mate tea can have its side effects and is not recommended for everyone, especially since no detailed research has been conducted on humans. Excessive consumption of this tea is not recommended for people suffering from asthma, heart problems, depression, diabetes and pregnant women. So, before deciding to switch from coffee to this drink, we recommend that you first consult your doctor or nutritionist.