Mate

What Is Mate?

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

It is traditionally drunk from a hollowed gourd (the "mate" cup) through a metal straw called a "bombilla"; hot water is added repeatedly and it is shared among a group. It has an earthy, herbal, and slightly bitter taste.

Nutritional Value of Mate

Since mate is a leaf that is brewed and drunk (the leaf itself is not eaten), the brew is nearly calorie-free and has no significant nutritional contribution. What gives the beverage its character are its caffeine and plant compounds; for this reason no numerical table is given here.

What Are the Benefits of Mate?

Mate is an invigorating beverage containing caffeine and antioxidant compounds (polyphenols), similar to tea and coffee. Since it contains caffeine, it is generally recommended to consume it in moderation and not drink it too hot, particularly during pregnancy and for people sensitive to caffeine.

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

How to Choose Mate

Quality mate (yerba mate) is bright green-brown in color, dry, has a fresh herbal scent, and contains little dust. Faded, moldy, or overly dusty products have lost their freshness.

• Color should be bright green-brown, not faded
• Scent should be fresh-herbal, not moldy
• Should be dry and have little dust

How to Store Mate

Mate is stored in a sealed jar in a cool, dry, dark place; light and moisture reduce its aroma. The leaf retains its freshness for a long time when stored well.

Using Mate in the Kitchen / Beverages

Mate is drunk most often as traditional yerba mate; it is also enjoyed as a cold brew (tereré), and flavored with milk and spices or with lemon-mint. The leaf is used for brewing, not eaten directly.

How Is Traditional Mate Prepared?

The mate cup is filled with leaves and tilted slightly; first a little warm water is added, then hot (not boiling) water, and it is drunk through a bombilla. Water is added repeatedly, and the same leaves are brewed several times.

Why Isn't the Water Boiled?

Boiling water scorches the mate leaves and makes the drink bitter; traditionally, hot water below boiling point is used, giving a milder taste.

Which Beverages Use Mate?

Traditional hot mate, cold tereré, mate with milk, and lemon-mint mate are its best-known uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is mate tea or coffee?

Neither; mate is made from the leaves of its own distinct plant. However, in that it contains caffeine and is brewed, it resembles tea.

Does mate contain caffeine?

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

Is mate bitter?

It has an earthy-herbal and slightly bitter taste; the right water temperature and good-quality leaves soften this bitterness. It is considered a pleasant taste once one gets 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 and drunk repeatedly; the leaves are renewed as the taste weakens.

What is tereré?

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