Mate teas are made from the South American yerba mate plant. Most yerba mate comes from Argentina; at these plantations, the leaves and stems of yerba mate are harvested and then blanched, dried, aged, and finally milled or cut. The final yerba mate tea product contains a natural energy booster. This feel good tea is often coffee lover’s favorite tea. Since it has the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, the energy effect is similar to that as drinking coffee but without the jitters.
History of Yerba Mate Teas
Early South American tribes had discovered the wild yerba mate plant and considered the mate tea “the drink of the gods.” During the 16th century in Argentina, the Spanish conquistadors took a liking to the mate tea and spread the consumption of this nutritious herbal tea. Eventually it was Jesuit missionaries that spread mate tea drinking and the creation of yerba mate plantations to other parts of South America. The Jesuits found the secret to successfully growing yerba mate was the use only seeds that passed through the digestive system of certain birds. This secret left with the Jesuits when they were expelled in 1769. Much later, a French botanist figured out the secret of yerba mate seed germination but then disappeared. By the early 1900s, the secret revealed itself again and cultivation of yerba mate tea on plantations resumed.
Mate Tea Health Benefits
Perhaps the most significant health benefit of drinking mate tea is that this herbal tea acts as a stimulant without side effects. It contains chemical stimulants like xanthine that when consumed gives an energy boost but aren’t left with the jitters, stomach sensitivity, and anxiety that occurs in many people that drink coffee. Yerba mate also contains several vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium. Mate teas can help lower cholesterol and also make a great weight loss tea since it can work as an appetite suppressant.
The Best Yerba Mate Teas
The best mate tea for coffee drinkers is MateVana Herbal Tea. MateVana has the same caffeine content as coffee and has a similar taste plus chocolate and nutty flavors. It also contains rooibos tea for an extra dose of vitamins and antioxidants. Samurai Chai Mate is the best spicy mate tea. Full of strong spices, herbs, and citrus flavors, this is an energizing mate tea. View all Teavana Mate Teas.
Mate Tea Preparation
To prepare mate tea, 1 tsp of loose mate tea should be added to 8oz of boiling water. The mate tea should steep for 5-6 minutes. Like other herbal teas, mate tea can be blended with other teas to create a new taste and maximize health benefits. For example, Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate Tea mixed with Weight to Go! Pu-erh Tea makes a super delicious weight loss tea blend.