Du yerba maté dans une gourde avec bombilla

Maté Yerba, health infusion

Written by: Ma Caféine

|

Time to read 5 min

Table of Contents

The origins of yerba mate Listen to our podcast about yerba mate Its health benefits In South American culture Video: Traditional Infusion in a Gourd Video: French Press Infusion FAQ

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 drink, 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