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Origin, Preparation and Benefits of Yerba Mate...
Latin America's iconic beverage, yerba mate—sometimes referred to as "Paraguayan tea", "Jesuit tea" or "Brazilian tea"—is one of the world's most widely consumed naturally caffeinated drinks, alongside tea and coffee.
But what exactly is mate, or yerba mate?
Yerba mate, or mate, is an evergreen tree with smooth bark that can grow up to 20 metres tall. It is native to the subtropical regions of South America, particularly Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, and thrives in warm, humid climates.
Mate (called mate in Spanish and chimarrão in southern Brazil) is a traditional South American beverage originating from the culture of the Guaraní people. Its scientific name is Ilex paraguariensis. Despite its common nickname, it is not a tea, as tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant.
Where does yerba mate come from?
At terre d’Oc, our yerba mate is sourced from a family-owned company located in Linha Palmital do Meio, in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil.
The company manages a native plantation using an agroforestry system based on sustainability, ecological balance and respect for people. It is Fair For Life (FFL) certified for Fair Trade, ensuring employees benefit from good working conditions as well as professional and personal development. Over the past year, 100,000 yerba mate trees have been planted.
Yerba mate grows alongside the araucaria tree. Also known as the Paraná pine, the araucaria is native to this region and is considered a symbol of the Brazilian state of Paraná. The two species share a symbiotic relationship: the araucaria provides shade, regulates temperature and enriches the soil with nutrients that support the growth of yerba mate. In return, yerba mate helps protect the araucaria's roots from soil erosion.
From the earth to the gourd...
How our yerba mate is made
Step 1: Harvesting
Yerba mate is generally harvested from March to September, although this may vary depending on the region and weather conditions.
Step 2: Drying
After harvesting the young branches and their leaves, the drying process begins at the factory. It is fully automated, with low carbon emissions and no smoke. The leaves are placed in a large high-temperature cylindrical dryer for a few seconds to undergo a thermal shock that breaks down the enzymes responsible for oxidation.
After this initial drying stage, the leaves are transferred to a conveyor dryer, where they undergo a slower dehydration process at an average temperature of 95°C, removing most of the water naturally contained in the leaves.
Step 3: Grinding
The next step is grinding. In Brazil, yerba mate is available in several grind sizes: coarse, medium, fine and powdered.
How to prepare your yerba mate
Before you begin, and to enjoy your yerba mate the traditional way, you'll need a gourd and a bombilla (a filtered drinking straw). Traditional Brazilian gourds are handcrafted from porongo squash, although they are also available in wood, bamboo, ceramic and glass.
The younger and more tender the leaves, the richer they are in beneficial compounds.
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A few precautions before using your natural gourd for the first time:
If you are using a natural gourd, follow these instructions before its first use:
Step 1
Fill your gourd three-quarters full with yerba mate.
Step 2
Pour boiling water into the gourd until it is full, then leave it to rest overnight.
Step 3
Empty the gourd completely and rinse it thoroughly.
Step 4
Using a small spoon, gently scrape the inside of the gourd to remove any remaining dried plant material.
Allow it to air dry for several hours.
The traditional way to prepare yerba mate
Step 1 – Gather your yerba mate, a gourd and a bombilla.
Step 2 – Fill the gourd two-thirds full with yerba mate.
Step 3 – Cover the top of the gourd with the palm of your hand and gently shake it upside down and back again.
Step 4 – Tilt the gourd so that the yerba mate gathers on one side, then insert the bombilla into the hollow that has formed.
Step 5 – For hot yerba mate: pour a small amount of lukewarm water into the gourd and let it absorb for 2 to 3 minutes. Then fill with water at 80°C (176°F) and steep for 3 to 4 minutes.
Iced yerba mate: fill the gourd with very cold water and ice cubes (see step 5 below). This preparation is called tereré. Step 6 – Enjoy using the bombilla!
Yerba mate can also be enjoyed like a traditional herbal infusion using a tea infuser (about one teaspoon of yerba mate per cup or mug).
1. Pour in hot water at around 80°C (176°F).
2. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes (adjust the steeping time according to your preferred strength).
3. Enjoy!
Good to know: yerba mate leaves can be infused 10 to 12 times throughout the day.
What are the benefits and properties of yerba mate?
This plant infusion is enjoyed daily throughout South America. Organic yerba mate is considered a true source of natural health benefits.
Energising: yerba mate naturally contains caffeine, which may help increase stamina and reduce fatigue.
Supports weight management: yerba mate may help support weight management when combined with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Diuretic: yerba mate may act as a natural diuretic.
Draining: yerba mate may help reduce water retention by supporting the body's natural elimination processes and contributing to normal kidney function.
Where can you buy yerba mate?
At terre d’Oc, we have years of expertise in the world of tea and herbal infusions. We have always been committed to organic, ethical and Fair Trade sourcing. Inspired by tea ceremonies from around the world, our collections feature original and indulgent recipes alongside single-origin teas crafted using traditional expertise. An invitation to discover, travel and share.
Order your yerba mate online directly from our website. Choose from traditional Chimarrão, green yerba mate or roasted yerba mate for an authentic and unique tasting experience.
For a flavoured yerba mate, discover our organic Fair For Life (FFL) yerba mate, with its bold, vegetal character enhanced by zesty citrus notes and refreshing peppermint. Awarded a Silver Medal at the 2022 Paris Gourmet Competition.
Little tip
What can you do with used yerba mate?
- It can be added to your compost bin.
- It can also be sprinkled around your plants as a natural repellent against slugs and aphids.
- Finally, used yerba mate can be used to clean pots and pans as a natural scrubbing pad!
Posted in:
Tea time
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