Mate

What Is Mate?

Mate is a traditional caffeinated drink brewed from the dried, ground leaves of a South American holly species (Ilex paraguariensis). It is part of daily life in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil.

Traditionally, it is drunk from a hollowed gourd (“mate” cup) through a metal straw called a “bombilla”; it is shared, with hot water added again and again. It has an earthy, herbal, and slightly bitter flavor.

Mate Nutrition

Because mate is made by brewing leaves that are not eaten, the brewed drink is nearly calorie-free and provides no significant nutritional contribution. Caffeine and plant compounds give the drink its main character; for this reason, no numerical table is provided here.

What Are the Benefits of Mate?

Mate is a stimulating drink containing caffeine and antioxidant compounds (polyphenols), similar to tea and coffee. Because it contains caffeine, moderation and avoiding very hot temperatures are general recommendations, especially during pregnancy and for people sensitive to caffeine.

This information is general; mate is a beverage, not a medical treatment.

How to Choose Mate

Quality mate (yerba mate) is greenish-brown, dry, fresh-smelling with an herbal aroma, and low in dust. Products that are faded, moldy, or excessively dusty have lost freshness.

• Color should be a vibrant greenish-brown, not faded
• It should smell fresh and herbal, not musty
• It should be dry and low in dust

How to Store Mate

Store mate in a sealed jar in a cool, dry, dark place; light and moisture diminish its aroma. Properly stored leaves stay fresh for a long time.

How to Use Mate as a Beverage

Mate is most often consumed as traditional yerba mate; it is also prepared as a cold infusion (tereré), with milk and spices, or flavored with lemon and mint. The leaves are used for brewing, not eaten directly.

How to Prepare Traditional Mate

Fill a mate cup with leaves and tilt it; first add a little warm water, then hot (not boiling) water, and drink through a bombilla. Add water repeatedly to brew the same leaves several times.

Why Shouldn’t the Water Be Boiled?

Boiling water scorches mate leaves and makes the drink bitter; traditionally, hot water below the boiling point is used so the flavor stays milder.

What Mate Drinks Are There?

Traditional hot mate, cold tereré, mate with milk, and mate with lemon and mint are among the best-known preparations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mate tea or coffee?

It is neither tea nor coffee; mate is made from the leaves of a distinct plant. However, because it contains caffeine and is brewed, it is similar to tea.

Does mate contain caffeine?

Yes; mate naturally contains caffeine and has a stimulating effect, like tea and coffee. For this reason, people sensitive to caffeine are advised to consume it in moderation.

Does mate taste bitter?

It has an earthy, herbal, slightly bitter flavor; water at the right temperature and good-quality leaves soften the bitterness. It is a flavor many people enjoy once they get used to it.

How many times can the same leaves be brewed?

In a traditional mate cup, hot water is added to the same leaves many times for repeated servings; replace the leaves as their flavor weakens.

What is tereré?

Tereré is a refreshing version of mate prepared with cold water (sometimes fruit juice); it is especially popular in hot regions.