Though Yerba Mate has been held in high regard by South American cultures for centuries, this prized, and surprisingly healthy, non-tea is now gaining popularity in North America. Yerba Mate was originally discovered in the region that extends between Brazil and Argentina, including Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay, and has been traditionally utilized as social drink in this area. In the same sense that friends in the U.S. grab a cup of coffee together, South Americans prepare a gourd of Yerba Mate to enjoy in a group, and the activity of drinking it together is a notion of endearment and hospitality.

Even though it is technically a species of holly, Yerba Mate is still classified as a tea, but a surprising fact is that this super-beverage is actually healthier than green tea. Because of its high caffeine, vitamin, and mineral content, Yerba Mate is a nutritious drink that can boost your metabolism, sharpen your concentration, and prevent cancer cell formations, which is a function carried out by antioxidants. No wonder energy drink companies are now adding Yerba Mate to their products!

To prepare your very own, delicious cup of Yerba Mate, sans the gourd, you can make a beverage called “Mate Cocido,” which is prepared in the same way as conventional tea, with a few alterations. First, you want to put the Yerba Mate in a tea ball infuser and rinse it with cold water before preparation. Then, you steep it in water that is hot, not boiling, as it produces a bitter taste if the temperature is too extreme. Then, simply sweeten with sugar or honey—you can even add milk if you like. To make your Yerba Mate experience authentic, make sure to enjoy this beverage with friends and family, and keep the South American tradition of hospitality surrounding this beverage alive.

If you need your very own Yerba Mate, make sure to visit  our catalog, and order a 1/2lb or 2lb bag.