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What is Yerba Maté? Yerba Mate tea is a traditional South American drink made by steeping the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. This beverage boasts a rich cultural heritage and is often consumed socially, especially in Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. |
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How to start with maté? First and foremost, you need to consider how and when you want to drink maté. Yerba mate contains caffeine, so it's not recommended for evening consumption. Ideally, maté should be enjoyed from morning until around 2–4 p.m. The effect of caffeine, however, varies from person to person, so it’s hard to generalize. The caffeine in maté doesn’t act the same way as it does in coffee. The stimulation doesn’t have a quick onset, but rather a gradual and long-lasting effect. The best way to start is by purchasing one of the "Starter Packs," such as the Yerbox from our company. We’ve created the YERBOX brand, where you can buy a beginner's kit. The kit contains precise instructions, so you don’t need to figure out much by yourself — you can start drinking Yerba maté immediately. |
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What Yerba is good for a begginer? The best to start with Argentinian yerba mate, because the majority of yerbas from Argentina are on the lighter and sweeter side, compared to other regional varieties. Most of the Paraguayan yerba mate, on the other hand, is smoked and too strong for beginners. Brazilian erva is really hard to prepare without proper tools and techniques, and Uruguayan yerba mate may be too full-bodied and bold for an unprepared palate. |
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What is Bombilla? Bombilla, or bomba in Portuguese, is a traditional South American straw and filter used for drinking the yerba mate infusion. The bombilla can be made from many different metals like bronze, nickel, stainless steel, alpaca (nickel) silver, silver and gold plated. |
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How and which Bombilla to choose? The bombilla is similar to the calabash. For starters, buy an affordable one with a good price-quality ratio. If you find that you enjoy maté and it becomes your everyday drink, then you can invest in a “lifetime” bombilla, perhaps a silver one from the Arana. The purpose of the bombilla is to act like a straw and a filter so that you can enjoy your yerba mate tea without the leaves coming into your mouth. There are many types of bombillas available:
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What is Yerba Mate gourd? It is a traditional cup used to drink the yerba mate infusion in. The yerba mate gourd can made from wood, metal, ceramics but is traditionally made from Calabash. The gourd is a drinking utensil but also serves two more purposes. It compresses the yerba mate to create suction which helps the bombilla from being clogged. |
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How to choose a gourd? We recommend selecting a gourd that isn’t made from natural materials like wood, porongo, or pumpkin (calabash). These are demanding to maintain and require daily care. Ideally, start with materials such as glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. They are easy to maintain, and even if you forget to clean the calabash before the weekend, nothing happens. With calabashes made from organic materials, you may often need to go through a lot of effort to clean them, dry them, or even “heal” them (removing mold, etc.). |
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I have an issue with the calabash?! - It has cracks/spots/pieces of pumpkin, and I’m afraid to use it. The pumpkin from which traditional calabashes are made is a natural product, so it’s normal for it to have minor imperfections like spots, dry pieces of pumpkin inside, etc. For this reason, we don’t recommend pumpkin calabashes for complete beginners. |
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How to prepare Yerba maté?
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What are the other way to prepare mate without using the special traditional utensils?
Add 2 -5 tablespoons of loose leaf yerba to a cup. Insert the bombilla in the loose leaf yerba (the straw should not be moved after its placed) and add hot water (temperature should be between 70° and 80ºC maximum)
Place 2 -5 tablespoons of yerba loose leafs in top of press and process as usual. |
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What are the health benefits of yerba mate?
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What is Tereré? Tereré is a cold infusion made from yerba mate. Unlike traditional mate, which is drunk hot, tereré is enjoyed with cold water or juice, making it ideal for hot climates. |
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What is Chimarrão? This is a uniquely crafted chimarrão made from lightly-aged yerba, giving the same familiar Brazilian texture but with a more complex flavor. The cut is moida grossa, with a moderate amount of medium cut leaves and stems inside the matrix of fine cut powder. |
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How much caffeine in Yerba mate? The caffeine content in Yerba Mate tea can vary depending on factors like the type of leaves used and the brewing time. On average, 240ml cup of Yerba Mate contains about 30-50 milligrams of caffeine. This is less than a typical cup of coffee but more than green tea. The caffeine in Yerba Mate provides a gentle and sustained energy lift without the jitteriness often associated with coffee. |
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How much yerba mate can I consume per day? It's recommended to consume no more than4 cups (or around 1.5 liter) of yerba mate per day. While some studies have suggested that moderate consumption of yerba mate (up to 1 liter per day) may have health benefits, it's always important to listen to your body and monitor for any adverse effects. Additionally, individual tolerance to yerba mate can vary based on factors such as age, weight, and overall health status. |
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Can Yerba Mate reduce my weight? Yerba Mate has gained popularity as a potential weight loss aid. It may help with weight management by boosting metabolism and reducing appetite. Some studies suggest that the caffeine and compounds in Yerba Mate can enhance fat oxidation during exercise. However, it's essential to maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle alongside Yerba Mate consumption for effective weight management. |
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If you have any other question don't hesitate to write to smm@mateplanet.eu |
