Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate

Known by various names including Mate - Yerba Mate - Green Mate

Mate is a caffeine-based drink that originates in South America. It has a pleasant mild taste and a high caffeine content. 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 and is also widely drunk in Syria and across the Middle East where it was introduced by Argentinian immigrants.

European Brewing: A simplified version of the Mate drink can be brewed 'European Style' in a tea pot. Add 2-3 heaped teaspoons of Mate to 500ml of water. Add water heated to 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 then 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 its base to prevent the Mate leaves being consumed. Once the gourd is empty it is topped up with more hot water. This process can be repeated numerous times.The repeated infusion of the Mate releases a high dose of caffeine and the drink acts as a mild stimulant.

Origin: Brazil