Definition: Yerba Mate is a popular South American herb that is brewed into a high-caffeine infusion. It is harvested from the leaves and stems of a particular type of holly tree and is sometimes roasted or aged before consumption.
Yerba mate has a bittersweet flavor. It is traditionally drunk from a hollow gourd through a filtering straw (bombilla), but it can also be infused in a Western-style teapot. In parts of South America, it is blended with mint, citrus, gin and/or other ingredients. There are many yerba mate blends available on the U.S. market.
A number of health claims surround yerba mate. One common (and incorrect) claim is that yerba mate contains no caffeine, but has instead a "stereoisomer of caffeine called mateine." There is no such thing. Yerba mate is high in caffeine.
Yerba mate has a bittersweet flavor. It is traditionally drunk from a hollow gourd through a filtering straw (bombilla), but it can also be infused in a Western-style teapot. In parts of South America, it is blended with mint, citrus, gin and/or other ingredients. There are many yerba mate blends available on the U.S. market.
A number of health claims surround yerba mate. One common (and incorrect) claim is that yerba mate contains no caffeine, but has instead a "stereoisomer of caffeine called mateine." There is no such thing. Yerba mate is high in caffeine.
Pronunciation: YERB-ah mah-TAY
Alternate Spellings: Yerba Maté
