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What is yerba mate? -

Mate is a traditional drink in South America, a herbal tea that's been enjoyed by people across the continent for centuries.

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Where does it come from? -

It's made from the dried leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguariensis plant species. It was first given its Western scientific name by French botanist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire, in 1822.

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Indigenous origins -

The herb was originally harvested by the Indigenous Guaraní in present-day Paraguay. Some Tupi people also cultivated the plant.

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Europeans 'discover' yerba mate -

Its consumption as an edible foodstuff and energizing and healing infusion was exclusive to what are today the departments of Amambay and Alto Paraná. It's in these regions in the 16th century that European explorers first learned of yerba mate.

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Spanish colonization -

The Spanish colonization of Paraguay brought with it widespread appreciation of mate as a healthy beverage.

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The Jesuits and yerba -

By the mid-17th century, Jesuits had domesticated yerba mate and established plantations in settlements in Misiones, Argentina. This sparked fierce competition with existing Paraguayan harvesters.

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Mixed fortunes -

The expulsion of the Jesuits in the 1770s led to the widespread abandonment of the plantations. As a result, the industry in Paraguay once again flourished.

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Paraguayan War (1864–1870) -

However, the Paraguayan War, fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay, devasted the Paraguayan economy. Some regions with yerba mate plantations became Argentine territory.

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Brazil soaks up the market -

In the wake of the war, Brazil emerged as the largest producer of mate, though Argentina remained the traditional home of the plant's cultivation.

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Argentina becomes prime consumer -

When Brazil turned its attention to coffee production in the 1930s, Argentina once again became yerba mate's prime consumer, the center of production reestablished in Misiones Province.

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Yerba mate production -

According to Statista, the largest producer of yerba mate today is Argentina, followed closely by Brazil, then Paraguay.

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Cash crop -

But in 2023, Brazil was the leading exporter of yerba mate, with an export value of US$89 million.

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What's in a name? -

In Spanish-speaking countries, the infusion is known as mate. In Brazil, however, it's referred to as chimarrão.

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How it's prepared -

The perfect mate is traditionally prepared using a small, hollowed-out gourd filled three-quarters full with dried leaves. Hot but not boiling water is then added.

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Use of the bombilla -

The beverage is drunk through a metal straw known as a bombilla. The lower end is perforated and acts as a metal filter, which is used to separate the mate infusion from leaves, stems, and other mate debris.

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Color and quality -

Quality mate will display a greenish-yellow tone, avoiding intense greens or brown hues.

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In good taste -

Novice palates are best introduced to mates that are sweet, light, and not overly bitter or complex. For more seasoned tastes, popular Argentine brand La Merced is often the choice. The company has been producing mate since 1897 and uses high-quality yerba mate leaves and traditional production techniques.

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Drink of the gauchos -

From its original consumption by Indigenous peoples of the pampas, mate remains a favored beverage of all social classes in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The skilled horsemen known as gauchos are especially synonymous with mate, its high caffeine content (as much as coffee) seemingly boosting strength and stamina.

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Health benefits -

An infusion of yerba mate packs a healthy punch. In fact, this beverage is confirmed as showing a number of beneficial health effects, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

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A natural remedy -

Mate is rich in antioxidants and nutrients. It serves as a natural remedy for a number of disorders, including fatigue and depression. It's also known to assist in weight management.

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Energy boost -

Mate provides an energy boost due to its high caffeine content. It may, therefore, increase alertness, improve concentration, and enhance physical performance.

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Mind and body -

Drinking mate may be helpful in addressing mental health issues, things such as attention disorders and eating disorders.

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Weight loss -

Mate helps stimulate fat oxidation and feelings of fullness, perhaps due to its caffeine and antioxidant mix. This can lead to significant decreases in weight in some individuals.

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Barrier against infection -

The powerful health benefits of yerba mate extend to preventing infections from bacteria, parasites, and fungi, existing studies suggest. However, more recent research in humans is needed.

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Drink away diabetes -

The results of a 2017 study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found that yerba mate may help lower blood sugar and reduce complications associated with diabetes. Furthermore, it could even improve insulin signaling, the intracellular signaling pathway that is responsible for the metabolism of the body.

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Celebrity infusion -

Mate's stimulant properties are well known to sports stars. Lionel Messi, for example, is often seen brandishing a vessel full of the greenish infusion before training.

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Fit for royalty -

The South American infusion is popular with VIPs, too. In 1999, the then-Prince Charles sampled a gourd of mate during a royal visit to a ranch in Uruguay.

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Best mates with the Pope -

In ecclesiastical circles, none other than Pope Francis himself is often seen drinking mate, even when conducting his weekly audience at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.

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A beverage for everybody -

From its humble Indigenous origins in Latin America, mate today is enjoyed in many parts of the world. It's a staple beverage in Syria and Lebanon, while in the United States yerba mate is regarded as an organic hip drink.

Sources: (JSTOR Daily) (Mate Factor) (Yerba Crew) (Healthline) (Statista) (National Center for Biotechnology Information)

See also: Herbal tea infusions for health and happiness. 

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