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Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

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Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#21

Post by freefaler »

cess11 wrote: post #15

This part is rather easily explained, I think: "how did it captivate so many millions of daily drinkers around the world?" Unlike coffee beans it's trivial to produce, you basically just chop leaves and dry them, possibly with smoke. Unlike coffee there are no adrenergic heebie-jeebies, only a rather strong and 'pure' caffeine high. Supposedly there's a mineral content that'll be nice to the nervous system too. There…

There is some evidence of prolonged use and cancer: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs...

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#23

Post by ElectricBoogie »

bhako wrote: post #6
ElectricBoogie wrote: post #2

Tisane.

I'm from Argentina, it's normal to do both, its a very social drink with friends. Not too higienical

I tried it, it's quite bitter and grassy. Not sure if it was the brand or how I made it, or if that's how it's supposed to be.

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#24

Post by mc32 »

soneca wrote: post #3

> ”sipping a hot, slightly bitter infusion of caffeinated leaves from a dried gourd through a filtered metal straw, before passing the gourd to their friends to share” Someone might correct me, but I believe it is only in Brazil south that “chimarrão” (how they call this drink) is drank like this, hot and shared. In Argentina and Uruguay you drink it individually. You can share the recipient with the mate in it, but…

Does it contain antibacterials?

Seems like an easy vector to spread sickness or disease. Or am I misunderstanding things? Is it like bums sharing a nighttrain [though alcohol helps here] or is there some hygiene involved?

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#25

Post by comfrey11 »

It’s interesting to see the love for yerba mate here! Fun fact: until the 1800s, yaupon holly was the go-to caffeinated beverage in the USA. Native Americans and early settlers drank it regularly, much like how yerba mate is enjoyed in South America. It was called “black drink” and was prized for its stimulating effects and health benefits. However, coffee’s rise in popularity pushed yaupon holly out of the spotlight. It’s now making a comeback as people rediscover its unique flavor and benefits. If you’re curious, check out some of the stories about yaupon holly’s history and resurgence!

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#26

Post by sombragris »

soneca wrote: post #3

> ”sipping a hot, slightly bitter infusion of caffeinated leaves from a dried gourd through a filtered metal straw, before passing the gourd to their friends to share” Someone might correct me, but I believe it is only in Brazil south that “chimarrão” (how they call this drink) is drank like this, hot and shared. In Argentina and Uruguay you drink it individually. You can share the recipient with the mate in it, but…

Paraguayan here.

With hot water = mate.

Brewed as tea or coffee and drank with a teacup = cocido.

With ice-cold water = tereré.

Both mate and tereré are shared if appropriate, but after COVID this is seriously restricted.

People who drink their mate only to themselves are usually the Uruguayans.

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#27

Post by Jtsummers »

ElectricBoogie wrote: post #23
bhako wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm from Argentina, it's normal to do both, its a very social drink with friends. Not too higienical

I tried it, it's quite bitter and grassy. Not sure if it was the brand or how I made it, or if that's how it's supposed to be.

Straight mate is bitter. My wife and some people I've shared it with have said the same about it being grassy, I don't taste that myself though. You can also get it with mint or orange or other things if you don't want straight mate (I have these and plain mate so I can pick what I want each day). Some people add sugar or honey to it as well.

EDIT: Also, the first steeping and drink is the most bitter. After that it's much, much less bitter. Comparable to other teas and black coffee.

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#28

Post by pfdietz »

comfrey11 wrote: post #25

It’s interesting to see the love for yerba mate here! Fun fact: until the 1800s, yaupon holly was the go-to caffeinated beverage in the USA. Native Americans and early settlers drank it regularly, much like how yerba mate is enjoyed in South America. It was called “black drink” and was prized for its stimulating effects and health benefits. However, coffee’s rise in popularity pushed yaupon holly out of the spotlight…

> yaupon holly

Its Latin name is unfortunate, though.

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#29

Post by sombragris »

Paraguayan here. Nice to see a good article talking about Yerba Mate.

A nitpick on Tereré. Tereré is usually the ice-cold version of mate. You drink mate with hot water, tereré with ice-cold water as a refreshment.

The practice of drinking it with fruit juice or some sweet beverage is mostly prevalent on northern Argentina. Here it is mostly viewed as a sacrilege. You drink your yerba mate, whether hot or cold, unsweetened (unless brewed as in cocido; in that case, sweetening it is accepted).

Tereré is something almost essential here in our scorching hot days. What a blessing!

In case you wonder, if you want to get an idea of yerba mate's taste, think green tea. They're not equal, of course, but there's some similarity.

Re: Yerba mate, from Paraguay to Syria

#30

Post by IndrekR »

pfdietz wrote: post #28
comfrey11 wrote: post #25

It’s interesting to see the love for yerba mate here! Fun fact: until the 1800s, yaupon holly was the go-to caffeinated beverage in the USA. Native Americans and early settlers drank it regularly, much like how yerba mate is enjoyed in South America. It was called “black drink” and was prized for its stimulating effects and health benefits. However, coffee’s rise in popularity pushed yaupon holly out of the spotlight…

> yaupon holly Its Latin name is unfortunate, though.

Ilex vomitoria
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