Yerba Mate Info
WHAT IS YERBA MATE?
Yerb Mate is South America's famous green tea which has won worldwide admiration because of its special energizing and nutritional qualities, as well as its uinque delicious flavor. Mate is made from the dried leaves of Ilex Paraguarensis, a native South American holly. Long used by the indigenous people of South America it was adopted by European colonizers from the 17th Century onwards. Today Mate is consumed by millions of South Americans as an all occasion drink, occupying a position like that of coffee in the US or tea in Britian and China.
NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF
YERBA MATE
YERBA MATE PREPARATION
POURED MATE: It´s prepared in a small gourd (called the "mate"), filled two thirds full with yerba mate. The infusion is obtained by pouring hot water that should not have been boiled (ideally 80°C), into the mate gourd. It is drunk through a metal straw that has a filter in its lower tip (the bombilla), so that particles don´t get drawn in. This is the traditional method of preparation in Argentina, where it turns more into daily ritual than a simple drink. A glass or metal cup can also be used instead of the "mate" gourd.
KEYS TO A CORRECT PREPARATION: - The mate gourd is filled with yerba mate up to two thirds of its volume. - Then, the yerba on one side is wet with a large spoonful of cold or warm water. - After a minute, the metal straw or bombilla is introduced in the same spot, until it reaches the bottom of the gourd. - Hot water, but never boiling, can then be poured on the same side of the cup, taking care not to wet the whole surface of mate leaf.This pouring procedure is called "cebar" in Argentina, and it is considered an art by the aficionados of mate. </align="left">
CUP MATE (Mate Cocido) Mate can be prepared in a cup using loose leaves, just like any other infusion like tea. It is called "mate cocido" in Argentina. Like many other infusions, it can be enjoyed hot or cold, and can be sweetened with sugar or honey according to taste. By adding milk, it becomes an ideal drink for children.