Yerba Mate is a plant native to South America where herbal infusions made from its leaves are widely enjoyed. Traditionally, this drink is sipped from a gourd through a filtering straw known as a bombilla. Yerba Mate has long been used as a medicinal plant valued for its many associated properties and potential health benefits. But did you know there are different varieties of yerba mate? Alongside traditional mate, you'll find flavoured versions and organic options. Green mate gets its name from its distinctive colour and is often mistaken for green tea, though the two are quite different in composition. Let's take a closer look at these different varieties of mate and clear up some common mix-ups with green tea, organic tea and mate.
Mate vs. Green Mate: the different varieties
When talking about this distinctive drink, you'll often hear about mate and green mate. Their most obvious difference is colour, but there are other distinctions worth knowing. Traditional mate comes from the leaves of the mate tree, which are dried, ground and then left to mature for around a year. Yerba mate is a natural stimulant that acts as a tonic for body and mind. It is particularly valued as a remedy for both physical and mental fatigue. Green mate, for its part, is associated with benefits for cardiovascular health and blood pressure, and is a rich source of minerals. As a wellness ally, it acts as a diuretic and supports the natural elimination of toxins. Flavoured mate was developed to balance the drink's sometimes bitter taste: today you'll find versions with pleasant, rounded flavours such as red berries, mint, lemon or citrus. Finally, organic mate stands apart for being made from hand-sorted mate leaves grown using organic farming methods.
What exactly are mate and green mate?
Green mate originates from the regions of South America, including Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and parts of Brazil. The drink known as mate is produced from the leaves of a tree. Green mate, named for its distinctive colour, contains caffeine and polyphenols. It can be enjoyed just like a cup of tea. In terms of composition, it is rich in B vitamins, antioxidants, potassium and iron, and contains no calories. Brazilian green mate is a detox drink often used as part of a wellness routine: it aids digestion and is a genuine slimming ally worth considering.
Green mate and green tea: key differences
Green tea and green mate share certain characteristics, but they should not be confused. To start with, mate and tea have different origins. Tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, while mate comes from a broad-leaved tree in the holly family. Mate leaves are rich in mateine, a molecule similar to theine and caffeine, though the caffeine content differs between the two drinks: the concentration is higher in mate than in tea. When it comes to flavour, tea offers a wider range depending on its colour and origin. The taste of mate is closer to that of an herbal infusion, with a slightly bitter edge. Both are natural remedies that support digestion and gut health. Finally, preparation differs: in most cases, tea is steeped in water, while mate is drunk from a gourd and filtered directly through a bombilla, a metal tube.
Where to find green mate
Mate and green mate are scientifically recognised for their therapeutic properties and positive effects on health and wellbeing. You can find them at organic shops, herbalists and specialist tea retailers. There you'll discover a range of mate varieties to suit your situation, your taste and your needs.