Halfway between a green tea and a coffee, Yerba mate stands out for its nutritional profile, its health benefits, its unique taste and its way of being consumed. Learn more about this hot drink from South America and Quebec-based organic Yerba mate supplier Mateina.
What is Yerba mate?
Yerba mate - also known as Mate - is a South American drink made from the leaves of the Yerba mate plant. In Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil, this drink is consumed as much as (and sometimes more) than coffee. From a nutritional standpoint, Yerba mate has high levels of antioxidants (such as polyphenols), vitamins, minerals, amino acids, caffeine and theobromine (a stimulant with relaxing effects). Among its health benefits: it detoxifies the body, decreases oxidative stress, strengthens the immune system, stimulates metabolism, helps to burn fat, improves cardiovascular and digestive health as well as cognitive functions, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol. Finally, Yerba mate has a frank and bitter herbaceous taste, and has the particularity of being consumed in a calabash (a small round container) and a bombilla (a metal straw with a filter at the end).
Mateina products
Quebec-based company Mateina imports its mate from a farming family in Argentina. The plant is grown in the greatest respect for the environment (without herbicides, pesticides or artificial fertilizers), according to sustainable farming practices and principles of fair trade. Other elements differentiate Mateina mate from other mates: it is certified organic by Ecocert Canada, it is dried with hot air rather than smoked (thus allowing the leaves to be free of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon chemicals) and it is composed not only of finely chopped leaves, but also stems and powder (for higher concentration). Here are two flagship products of the brand:
Menta: Made with Yerba mate, spearmint and peppermint, this infusion has the freshness of mint tea and the stimulating effect of an espresso. This is the lightest blend for those who like their mate both refreshing and subtle.
Silicone Gourd: Inspired by the traditional calabash, this modern and elegant gourd - which comes with a stainless steel bombilla - allows you to enjoy all the benefits of mate. As a bonus, it does not absorb taste, odours or bacteria, it is flexible and unbreakable, in addition to being dishwasher safe!
(This content was developed in partnership with Mateina.)