The Argentina embassy launched “Yerba Mate” in India, Argentine greener green tea that is becoming a rage all over the world with its health properties and taste, at the Residence of the Embassy of Argentina on November 13th 2017.

The evening was full of tango and sips of Yerba Mate.

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba Mate (llex paraguariensis Saint Hillaire) is a native tree from the subtropical rainforest of tine, Paraguay and Brazil. After processing the leaves, they are consumed as an infusion by millions of people every day.

But, apart from that, Yerba Mate was so significant in South American history that for three centuries was used as currency, and was the reason way the indigenous Guarani , with the Jesuits  support, ware placed “under the hand of the king”, turning them into vassals  free from the system of encomiendas. The name mate was adopted from de fruit of the gourd (legendaria vulagaris) which was used (in fact, it is still used) to prepare and brew the yerba mate infusion.

Properties and benefits of Yerba Mate

Powerful Antioxidant: - The Yerba Mate infusion present a great antioxidant power due to its high concentration of polyphenols, and it is ranked in a very privileged position among natural element carrying the highest antioxidant power

Source of Vitamins: Yerba Mate contains B-Group Vitamins. The body needs I3 Vitamins, and 8 of them are B-Group Vitamins, which are essential for the body functions such as energy and red blood cells production.

Source of Minerals: - Yebra Mate contains Potassium an essential mineral that is necessary for the correct function of the heart, and Magnesium, which helps the body to incorporate proteins.

Energizing Effects:- Matein, a substance of the same type as caffeine, is contained in the infusion and is the main cause of these beneficial effect for the body. Matein is a natural stimulator of the central nervous system, promotion mental activity, increasing energy levels and concentration.

The word Yerba comes from “herb”. The original term is “Caa” and the Caa Yari legend tells us about its origins.

The production process of the Yerba Mate can be described with the following 6 (six) main steps: harvest, drying, seasoning, quality control, milling a packaging. All the process takes from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the kind and time of seasoning. As described before, it is 100% natural because it only involves heat, time and milling.

Ways of consuming Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate Tea: It is a great way to enjoy its flavor and healthy properties. It can be prepared with tea bags or a handful of Yerba Mate with filter coffee machine or French press.

Iced Yerba Mate Tea: A refreshing beverage that keeps all the flavour and nutritional properties of Yerba Mate. A cool Mate Tea. Is a perfect option to drink it alone or mixed with fruit juice. It is prepared in the same way as Yerba Mate Tea.

Traditional Hot Mate: it is most popular way of consuming mate in Argentine, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It is drunk with hot water, a metal straw (a bombilla) and a mate (a hollow ground) filled with Yerba mat.

Traditional Cold Mate “Terere”: it is drunk in a similar way as a traditional hot mate, but with cold water or fruit juice. It is a great refreshing beverage or infusion.