My Favorite Things - Yerba Mate

In college I was first introduced to this South American "tea". When I spent a season in Argentina, it was winter there and Yerba Mate was a warm, comforting way to start the day or spend a cozy afternoon in the mountains with friends.

So, what is mate (pronounced ma-tay)? Mate is similar to an herb tea but it's not really tea. It grows on a bush. It was first brewed by the Guaranies Indians as a pick me up when they were hungry. Research into the components of mate is controversial with South Americans claiming it does not contain caffeine, but what the folks in Argentina call "matine" instead. Some scientists claim that this is just another way to say caffeine or another type of caffeine different than that found in coffee.

How do you drink it? A gourd (some of these are incredibly beautiful) is packed with dried green leaves. My American friends always tell me these leaves resemble marijuana. Once the gourd is packed, a pretty silver "straw" called a bombilla is placed inside.

A thermos or pitcher of boiling water is then passed around among the friends. Germaphobes beware... you SHARE mate. Everyone drinks from the same bombilla and gourd. You pour in your water, sip your mate, then pass it to the next person who pours in water, sips, then passes on.

Traditionally, mate is consumed without sugar or any other additives, but you can definitely add sugar. I have even added peppermint and other flavorings like zest of orange or lemon, but most of the time, I just drink it as is. In America, you can buy it now in tea bags and I have done this, but it just doesn't feel right and this may be psychological, but it doesn't seem to have the same energy boost from a tea bag.

There are many great benefits to drinking yerba mate. From increased energy to sharper mental focus, yerba mate is a very healthy drink. Check out this site for more on health benefits: Be Brain Fit. It is important to note... some registered dietitians have suggested that mate is filled with antioxidants and vitamins B1, B2 and C, and iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium and that it is good for digestion. However, over consumption (drinking more than 4 cups per day) can cause harm, including increased risk of head and neck cancers. Remember, moderation is essential for everything you consume!

Where can you buy Yerba Mate? If you want to order a gourd, bombilla and leaves online, there are many sites. Here is one I like: Go Yerba Mate. In the Houston area, you can buy it at Fiesta groceries and Whole Foods.

The Pope enjoying Yerba Mate

Friends enjoying mate