Thés & Traditions
French tea house since 2016
We always wonder what to take at the end of a meal between tea and coffee, but mate is now gaining more and more followers. But what is this plant coming straight from South America? Organic mate is both rich in caffeine and polyphenols and is drunk as an infusion like tea. It also offers numerous health benefits proven by doctors and scientists.
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What is mate? It represents a drink traditionally consumed in South America, mainly in Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, or even in southwestern Brazil. Mate in Brazil was first used by the Native Americans called Guaranis for its stimulating properties. Mate and guarana are indeed inseparable when talking about the history of this surprising drink. It wasn't until the 16th century that mate arrived in Europe. The success of Yerba mate was immediate in Spain and the Jesuits quickly began to deepen this culture. Mate is a leaf from a tree. What is the mate composition? This detox drink has the advantage of containing no calories. It is however rich in vitamin B, potassium, iron, and zinc. Mate is consumed like tea, by infusing the leaves.
Consuming mate regularly is helpful against headaches, fatigue, and rheumatic pain due to the presence of caffeine. The latter is in higher concentration than in tea, but less compared to coffee. However, as with these two other beverages, avoid consuming Brazilian mate in too large quantities to avoid the risk of insomnia or increased blood pressure. Mate is used medicinally to combat mental and physical fatigue. It also boosts your immune system and natural defenses. This drink is energizing and effective against bloating.
The caffeine present in mate leaves will stimulate the heart and promote better blood circulation. It is a high-quality intellectual and physical stimulant. Indeed, this infusion acts against nervousness. But the benefits of mate don't stop there. This drink is also recommended if you want to lose weight and follow a slimming diet. It increases the feeling of satiety and appetite suppression as well as associated weight loss. Moreover, it helps to reduce cholesterol levels. It's an excellent diuretic and laxative. Mate can be an alternative solution of choice for people who have difficulty drinking water throughout the day. It thus helps combat dehydration. Consume it especially as iced tea instead of a glass of water. Finally, it's a quality source of antioxidants.
Do you want to consume mate for its beneficial effects and therapeutic virtues? The preparation is not complicated, it is similar to that of tea. Simply let mate leaves steep for a few minutes in boiling water to remove some of the caffeine. In terms of taste, it is similar to an infusion. It is advised not to drink more than one to two cups per day. To find organic mate, you can go to organic stores, herbalists or to a store selling classic teas.
We have seen what mate is, but also what its benefits are and how it can be consumed. Let's now return for a few moments to the cultivation of this product. Mate is grown at room temperature, but the soil must be moist enough for ideal growth. The main mate-producing countries are Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. In local culture, it can be consumed at any time of the day, it is synonymous with sharing above all.
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