What Is Yerba Mate and How to Make It At Home

Are you ready to learn about the super tea enjoyed for generations in South America? Discover the amazing health benefits and the one-of-a-kind taste of yerba mate.

I first tried Yerba Mate in Argentina. I have since incorporated it as a daily ritual when I need a gentle pick me up. I also love sharing mate with friends as a social activity!

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba mate is an herbal tea with the energizing punch of coffee. It's a South American beverage made from the leaves and twigs of an indigenous plant and has been giving locals a natural pick-me-up for centuries.

Once a relatively unknown drink outside of South America, yerba mate has rocketed to fame, thanks partly to its numerous health benefits. Today, you can find this delicious and nutritious drink in cafes and stores worldwide.

What are the Health Benefits of Yerba Mate?

1. Weight Loss

Research suggests that yerba mate may help weight loss. It does this in two ways.

• It suppresses your hunger by making you feel more full.
• It raises your metabolic rate, so you burn more fat, especially belly fat.

While much more research needs to be done, the initial studies are promising. This health benefit has generated the most excitement and buzz.

2. Energy Boost

Yerba mate contains caffeine, which increases energy levels and improves focus and mental alertness.

A single cup of this herbal tea has around 80 milligrams of caffeine – about the same amount as a cup of coffee. So, yerba mate could be the answer if you're looking for a coffee alternative.

3. Rich in Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Minerals

Yerba Mate is an excellent source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Antioxidants can help protect against heart disease and may even improve cholesterol levels.

Yerba mate is also a powerhouse of essential vitamins and minerals. A single cup can provide your body with vitamin C, vitamins B1 and B2, potassium, iron, and calcium.

What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like?

The flavor can vary depending on its preparation. But it is frequently described as robust, bitter, and earthy. Like coffee, getting used to the taste can take some time.

How To Prepare Yerba Mate Tea

Traditional Preparation Method

To brew a perfect cup, you'll need dried yerba mate leaves, a gourd or mate cup designed specifically for drinking yerba mate, a bombilla (a special filtered straw), lukewarm water, and hot water just below boiling temperature.

The preparation process has many steps:

Start by placing the desired amount of dried yerba mate leaves into the gourd, filling it about halfway.

Next, pour lukewarm water into the gourd until it's about half full. Allow the yerba mate leaves to absorb this water for approximately one minute.

After the initial wetting, heat water to just below boiling temperature, around 165-175°F or 74-79°C. Carefully pour this hot water into the gourd, filling it to the top.

Then, place the bombilla (filtered straw) into the gourd and gently press it down to the bottom, ensuring the yerba mate leaves surround it.

To drink the yerba mate tea, simply sip through the bombilla, using it as a straw. As you drink, periodically add more hot water to the gourd to maintain the desired strength and temperature. Continue drinking and refilling until the yerba mate leaves lose their flavor.

Tea Infuser Method

If you want a preparation method similar to traditional tea, you can add loose tea leaves to any tea infuser or teapot. You can also buy tea bags with yerba mate or make it into iced tea.

To make it with a tea infuser:

To brew yerba mate tea, start by heating water until it's hot but not quite boiling. Next, fill the tea infuser with the desired amount of yerba mate leaves. Rinse the yerba mate in the infuser with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to dampen it and help reduce any potential bitterness.

Once the infuser is prepared, place it in a cup or teapot and pour in the hot water you heated earlier. Allow the tea to steep for approximately five minutes to fully extract the flavor from the yerba mate leaves.

After steeping for five minutes, remove the infuser from the cup or teapot. Your hot yerba mate tea beverage is now ready to enjoy!

Should I Sweeten the Tea?

Yerba mate is traditionally served without any sweetener. But you can do whatever you prefer. Some honey, lemon slices, or mint go well with the beverage. Or combine it with some milk and make it into boba tea.

Where Does Yerba Mate Come From?

It originated in South America, specifically in the region of Paraguay, where it was consumed by indigenous tribes over 500 years ago. Once the Spanish colonized the area, they began drinking it, and its popularity soon spread throughout the continent.

Culture of Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is an integral part of the culture of South America, particularly in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. In these countries, yerba mate is more than just a drink, it is a symbol steeped in tradition and history.

Ruben Arribas, from Gamintraveler.com, has traveled extensively in South America. He explains, "You usually see it consumed everywhere in Argentina and Uruguay." He says they drink it, "any time of the day, before or after meals, or even as a quick snack."

In Argentina, yerba mate is passed around among friends and family. This makes it a social activity that brings people together and promotes bonding.

It is also considered a symbol of hospitality and generosity. Offering someone the drink welcomes them into your home and shows them that you value and respect them.

Ruben says, "In Paraguay, they have another version of the tea, known as “terere,” and the main difference is that terere is consumed cold. You'll see street vendors preparing cold terere with ice available and the usual mate gourd and bombilla."

In addition, yerba mate is also an essential part of the economy in South America. Growing, harvesting, and producing it provides jobs for many people in the area.

Overall, yerba mate is deeply ingrained in South American culture, and its significance goes far beyond its taste and health benefits.

How Does Yerba Mate Compare to Matcha?

Choosing between yerba mate and matcha can be a tough decision. These two teas have similar properties, and both have some science-backed health benefits.

However, matcha and yerba mate have very different flavors. Matcha has a smooth, mellow taste, while yerba mate has a bold, bitter flavor that may not be for everyone.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to personal preference and what you want in a tea. If you're after a tea that is rich in flavor and can help you lose weight, yerba mate might be the way to go.

Wrapping Up

From its origins among the indigenous people of South America to widespread consumption today, yerba mate remains a strong tradition throughout much of South America, and this tradition is spreading all over the globe.

Recipe

Anne Jolly is the creator of the food blog Upstate Ramblings. She loves to cook with gadgets like an air fryer, sous vide or pressure cooker. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading, knitting and spending time with her three kids.

This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.