In the office I noticed a friend brewing his own tea. He had a coffee mug and a porous metal finger-like device clinging to the inside of the mug. I asked him about it and inquired as to what tea he was steeping.

Now, I’m no tea aficionado, nor do I claim to be one, but his answer made me raise an eyebrow…Yerba Maté? I’ve spent a fair share of time in Chinese stores and reading reviews, and I’ve never heard of this. I cant remember his full description, but it included “herbal, caffeine, and vitamins”. My initial thought was that an herbal tea cant have much or any caffeine in it. What’s he talking about?

Yerba Maté (tea) is made from the leaf of the plant Ilex paraguariensis. It contains caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, and related chemicals that are all stimulants.

This traditional Argentine beverage comes from the leaves of
a bushy South American tree. The thick, shiny leaves are very rich in
caffeine (to 2%) and vitamins. They have several volatile oils
present which give the tea part of its distinctive aroma and taste. The
best quality product comes from a process of fire roasting and curing
the fresh branches to develop the characteristic smoky flavor prized by
mate lovers. In Paraguay and Argentina it is the national beverage,
consumed in vast quantities daily.

Actually, wait. I have seen this stuff. It was in an episode of mariposaHD.tv

Yerba maté is among many cash crops native to South America. Social Argentines and Uruguayans can’t drink enough of the herbal tea derived from its leaves

People of the world should wakeup to the benefits of drinking mate. The smooth caffeine jolt yields a mental state of wakefulness, alertness, and focus. Drinkers are able to remain awake at will yet consumption does not prevent one from falling asleep. Americans will particularly benefit from drinking mate as their appetites will be suppressed.

The mate ritual is simple:

* pack a gourd full of yerba
* add hot water
* suck from a metal straw/filter or bombilla
* pass when empty for up to 10 h20 refills

On a hot day try Tereré. This refreshing beverage is simply mate prepared with cold water and orange or lime juice.

I’ll certainly have to try a cup next time.