Yerba Mate

Mate - Yerba Mate - Green Mate - Mate is a caffeine-based drink that originates in South America. The Mate plant is a member of the Ilex Genus and is related to the European Holly tree. 

Mate, is also known as chimarrão or cimarrón. It was first consumed by the South American Guaraní people and also spread by the Tupí people. 

It is the National Beverage in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Mate is also widely drunk in Syria and across the Middle East. 

A simplified version of the Mate drink can be brewed 'European Style' in a tea pot. However in traditional Mate drinking regions people have developed precise & elaborate methods for preparing and brewing the Yerba Mate leaves.  

European Brewing: 2-3 heaped teaspoons in 500ml of water 70-85 degrees. Infuse for 5 minutes.

Traditional Brewing: The drink is traditionally brewed and served in a shared drinking vessel made from a calabash gourd. The gourd is filled with Mate and topped up with hot water and left to infuse for a few minutes. Once infused it is drunk communally through a metal straw called a bombilla which has a sieve-like feature at it's base to prevent the Mate leaves being consumed. Once the gourd is empty it is topped up with hot water. This process can be repeated numerous times.The repeated infusion of Mate leaves in hot water releases a high dose of caffeine and the drink acts as a mild stimulant.

Use water that is heated to 70-85 degrees.  It has a pleasant mild taste.

Origin: Brazil