The origins of yerba mate
THE Yerba Mate (pronounced yèr-ba ma-té) is a tree native to South America.
Its infusion, similar to tea, is distinguished by its nutritional profile, its taste and its ceremonial way of drinking it.
It is also the first drink consumed in South America, a traditional drink shared for centuries, and imbued with Latin culture.
Yerba Mate has its roots in the indigenous cultures of South America. The Guarani tribes, who lived in what are now Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil, were among the first to cultivate and drink mate. They used the leaves of the mate tree to prepare an infusion rich in caffeine, antioxidants, and essential nutrients.
European settlers who arrived in South America in the 16th century quickly adopted the beverage, drinking it from special gourds and using a metal straw called a "bombilla" to suck up the liquid. Since then, Yerba Mate has become a deeply rooted tradition in South American culture.
Listen to our podcast about yerba mate:
Its health benefits
Yerba mate is consumed by millions of people every day for its powerful ability to naturally increase focus, mental clarity and physical endurance.
Native to northern Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil, yerba mate has its own culture based on the values of friendship and sharing.
We could roughly summarize yerba mate by saying that it has the benefits of tea and coffee without the drawbacks the effects of caffeine that these two popular drinks can cause (palpitations, stomach aches, trouble falling asleep, etc.)
There are three main benefits of consuming yerba mate:
| It is rich in nutrients and antioxidants | It promotes mental clarity | It optimizes GPL-1 |
But it's a much more complex product, and it's even more beneficial for health. Summarizing it in three points would be offensive to this remarkable plant.
It is above all a natural stimulant. Yerba Mate does contain caffeine, but its effect is milder than that of coffee. It provides an energy boost without the jolts and crashes associated with caffeine.
It is rich in antioxidants. The main source of antioxidants is found in fruits and vegetables, hence the famous advice "Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day." Like green tea, yerba mate is a source of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
It improves mental clarity, concentration. Theobromine, a bitter compound found in cocoa, is a mild stimulant that offers longer-lasting effects compared to caffeine, while having fewer side effects. Unlike caffeine, which acts on the central nervous system, theobromine primarily affects smooth muscle, acting as a natural muscle relaxant. Yerba mate is known to improve mental clarity, promote focus, and have beneficial effects on cognitive function, making it an excellent choice for study or work.
It optimizes GPL-1.Research suggests that yerba mate may increase GLP-1 production, which could potentially promote insulin secretion and induce a feeling of satiety. This mechanism could be beneficial for keeping blood sugar under control and regulating appetite. Additionally, the potential stimulatory effects on GLP-1 could improve digestive health and metabolic function.
It aids digestion. Yerba mate has also been linked to improved digestion, which may help relieve some gastrointestinal issues.
The benefits for intestinal health are undeniable. Consuming yerba mate will promote optimal digestion. Indeed, this infusion stimulates the secretion of gastric acids and the production of bile acids thanks to the presence of saponin, a plant component of mate that helps eliminate intestinal parasites. Thus, yerba mate improves digestion in a completely natural way.
Additionally, yerba mate has diuretic properties that promote stomach health. It helps maintain colon cleanliness and facilitates the elimination of waste from the body. It's also worth noting that drinking mate helps digest rich and fatty foods. All of these benefits contribute to easier digestion!
It is ideal for physical activity. Consuming yerba mate, and more generally caffeine, before physical activity is said to improve endurance and physical performance. During exercise, theobromine promotes bronchodilation, which increases airflow in the lungs. And being rich in antioxidants as mentioned above, yerba mate can help reduce muscle pain and burning sensations after physical exertion.It is therefore a perfect drink before, during and after your physical activities!
In South American culture
Yerba Mate holds a special place in South American culture.It is often shared among friends and family, creating a sense of community. Argentines and Uruguayans, in particular, are known to drink mate throughout the day. This tradition strengthens social bonds and promotes relaxation.
Yerba mate is, as they say, a drink for sharing, traditionally consumed in a gourd with a bombilla (filtered straw), in a friendly manner, around a ceremony:
THE Cebador is the "master of ceremonies." He prepares the drink and then shares it with the person on his right.
THE Matero is the person who receives the infusion. He tastes the yerba mate infusion and enjoys the moment of sharing.
When the Matero no longer wishes to drink the infusion, he must say "Gracias" to the Cebador when the latter offers him the flask. The latter will not offer him the flask again for the rest of the day.
We also offer accessories for consume traditionally your yerba mate!
And since we like to make your life easier, here are some videos made by Matéina to help you brew your yerba mate according to your taste!
