Mate Tea

Mate isn’t tea after all, but an herbal “tea like” infusion made from shade-grown leaves of the Amazonian rain forest holly tree. It packs a powerful dose caffeine similar to a cup of coffee; yet has the health benefits of true tea. It is amazing drank as tea, as it delivers a cup of earthy, pungent and a satisfying-as-chocolate drinking experience. It is a beverage like no other, naturally high in caffeine, minerals and antioxidants making it an excellent, balanced, and healthy brew.

Yerba mate is the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil where it is consumed 6x more than coffee! In South America, mate is so much more than an herbal tea- it is a lifestyle, it is a ritual. Traditionally, mate is prepared in a special hollowed out gourd, and filtered through a “bombilla” (which is a special straw that keeps the stems, leaves and particles out of your brew). Mate brewed in a gourd is meant to be shared with friends traditionally, so the motto is “drink, pass it on, refill”, and the same leaves can be used up to 20x.

Health Benefits of Drinking Mate

A famous study done in 1964 proclaimed that Yerba Mate has all the necessary amino acids, nutrients and minerals necessary to sustain life! There isn’t a more excellent reason to introduce mate into your daily life. Mate alkalizes the body; it is a rich alkaline food. Because mate is naturally caffeinated, it is a great option in helping you get through your day without drinking coffee and the jittery side effects some people experience with it.

Brewing Guidelines

Traditionally, in South America, mate is prepared in a special hollow gourd and drank through a “bombilla”- which is a sort of straw with a stainless steel filter. Mate can also be brewed in an infused just like true tea leaves, or even in a French press! Try different methods and find out how you like to brew it best.

We suggest following the specific suggestions on your bag of mate, but here are some guidelines.

1.5-2 tsp of loose mate for every 8oz of water. 210F/98C for 4-6 minutes.