Days seem longer with all of the back-to-school activities. Yerba Mate keeps you alert and focused while helping your body defend against bacterial and fungal infections. I wish I could say I grew Yerba Mate at Hickory Heal Farm. Instead, I purchase my Yerba Mate from Fairtrade, a Certified Organic source. Growing Yerba Mate is a goal. In the meantime, my family can’t do without the beautiful benefits of Yerba Mate in ONE cup!! I don’t want you to go without either!

Yerba mate tea contains various nutrients that help in maintaining good health. It is a good source of polyphenols, xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives, and saponins. Amongst minerals, it contains zinc, chromium, potassium, copper, aluminum, iron, manganese, and nickel. It also contains vitamins that include vitamin C, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2. Drinking yerba mate provides antioxidant benefits to the body. Many people think of yerba mate as a brain booster and studies show that this is true. The tea’s active ingredients can improve memory and attention, as well as focus. The antioxidants in the tea can prevent plaque deposition in the brain, potentially countering the effects of dementia. With my parent’s battle with dementia, I am looking for a way to stop it with them.

Yerba Mate has 196 active compounds including 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, antioxidants, and a unique harmony of stimulants which result in a clean balanced energy.

“It is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value” and that Yerba Mate contains “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life.” –A study from the Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific Society.

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‍Yerba Maté is a traditional South American brew that’s been said to offer the “strength of coffee, the benefits of a healthful tea, and the euphoria of chocolate” all in one beverage.

Brewed from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the species of holly native to the South American Atlantic rainforest (Ilex paraguariensis), Yerba Maté provides antioxidants, minerals, amino acids, and B vitamins to support a healthy lifestyle. It is a balanced and healthful tea that produces a smooth and refreshing full-bodied beverage and is known as an energizer and rejuvenator. I come to a cup of Yerba Mate in the afternoons to keep up with the never-ending to-do list and kids. If not Yerba Mate, then I would reach for a cup of coffee that has more toxic chemicals than I care to know about.  What I like about it is the satisfying richness that I find lacking in green tea. All Yerba Maté Leaf teas do contain caffeine, and the caffeine content can vary, depending on which variety of maté it is, and how you prepare it. It does usually contain slightly less caffeine than coffee.

Looking for support in weight loss? It may be as easy as a cup of  Yerba Maté. The potential effects of yerba mate on mitochondrial biogenesis and thermogenesis are evaluated. In vivo, it is found that Yerba Matépartially prevents diet-induced obesity by increasing energy expenditure and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis via the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α pathway. Yerba Maté stimulates mitochondriogenesis and Ucp expression, leading to an increase in the spare respiratory capacity and energy dissipation. These effects may help to better understand the potential use of Yerba Maté for obesity treatment. Check out more of the study PubMed.

Yerba Maté Tea is delicious all by itself, but many people like to flavor it. It goes great with milk, sweeteners, honey and lemon, different fruits, and even other herbs like mint or lemongrass. You can make a Yerba Maté latte or smoothie, and some people even like to combine it with chai tea. It tastes great hot or cold! Yerba Maté iced or sun tea is another way to make this fabulous tea cold and refreshing.
Try gently roasting the Yerba Maté until the leaves darken and develop a rich and bold roasted flavor profile. It has a delicious, full-bodied, nutty flavor with smooth chocolatey notes and subtle caramel tones.

 Pour 8 oz of boiling water (212° F) over 1 tsp. of tea. Steep 3-4 minutes. I make mine in a French press. You can use an espresso machine, or coffee percolator as well.  You can also use the traditional vessels for drinking Maté like a gourd or straw.