09-03-2013, 10:19 PM
Mate has several names in the market; in Portugal it is known as chimarrao, in Spanish it’s cimarron. It is also famous in many countries. A traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, it is enjoyed in states like Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, the southern areas of Brazil, Lebanon, Syria, and South Chile.
Its raw material is the dried leaves of yerba mate or erva-mate and then to make it a beverage it is mixed with hot water. Interestingly, mate is usually served in a certain gourd with a metal as straw. Its herbs are first dried, then chopped and ground into a powdery mixture.
Mate can trace back to tribes called Guarani and Tupi who were known to be the first people to use it. They lived in the Southern Part of Brazil which was, at that time, part of the Paraguayan territory. Hence, it got its scientific name: llex paraguariensis. When the European colonized the Spanish colony of the area in the late 1600s, consumption of the yerba mate became widespread. A century after, some Jesuits domesticated the plant to their plantations which caused competitive tension between them and the indigenous. In 1770s, when the Jesuits were expelled, their plantations were also put into ruins. The Paraguayan war further devastated its production.
That was why Brazil took over and became its largest producer. Argentina came into the picture and domesticated the plant. Later on when Brazil placed their focus on coffee in the 1900s, Argentina eventually got first place as prime producer. Both countries alternated in such a position. Today, Brazil comes first as the largest producer, followed by Argentina and Paraguay.
FDA approves of yerba mate and recognizes it as generally safe. It is said to contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus. For health benefits, mate is a good source of antioxidants, and is actually higher than that of green tea. Some studies suggest that it also shows cancer-fighting substances. Aside from that, a certain research also exhibited that consumption of yerba mate can increase HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL.
Its raw material is the dried leaves of yerba mate or erva-mate and then to make it a beverage it is mixed with hot water. Interestingly, mate is usually served in a certain gourd with a metal as straw. Its herbs are first dried, then chopped and ground into a powdery mixture.
Mate can trace back to tribes called Guarani and Tupi who were known to be the first people to use it. They lived in the Southern Part of Brazil which was, at that time, part of the Paraguayan territory. Hence, it got its scientific name: llex paraguariensis. When the European colonized the Spanish colony of the area in the late 1600s, consumption of the yerba mate became widespread. A century after, some Jesuits domesticated the plant to their plantations which caused competitive tension between them and the indigenous. In 1770s, when the Jesuits were expelled, their plantations were also put into ruins. The Paraguayan war further devastated its production.
That was why Brazil took over and became its largest producer. Argentina came into the picture and domesticated the plant. Later on when Brazil placed their focus on coffee in the 1900s, Argentina eventually got first place as prime producer. Both countries alternated in such a position. Today, Brazil comes first as the largest producer, followed by Argentina and Paraguay.
FDA approves of yerba mate and recognizes it as generally safe. It is said to contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E, as well as minerals like calcium, iron, and phosphorus. For health benefits, mate is a good source of antioxidants, and is actually higher than that of green tea. Some studies suggest that it also shows cancer-fighting substances. Aside from that, a certain research also exhibited that consumption of yerba mate can increase HDL cholesterol and lower levels of LDL.
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