When you're in South America, the drink of choice is Yerba Maté (pronounced YER-ba MA-tay). It's a very popular form of herbal tea that is commonly seen in countries like Argentina and Paraguay. Yerba Maté comes from the Yerba Maté tree (Ilex paraguarensis), asmall tree native to the subtropical highlands of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina.
This evergreen member of the Holly family was introduced to colonizing and modern civilizations by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay and Uruguay. The drink is brewed from the dried leaves and stemlets of this perennial tree. Yerba Mate is known as the national drink of these countries, and is consumed by millions of South Americans as a healthful alternative to coffee. This stimulating herbal beverage has the unique ability to wake up the mind without the nervousness and jitters associated with coffee.
There are 196 volatile (or active) chemical compounds found in the Yerba Mate plant. Of those, 144 are also found in green tea.
Each infusion of Mate contains:
Vitamins: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex
Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus.
In South America, the morning and afternoon beverage of choice is Yerba Mate. In fact, mate bars are as prevelant in South American countries as coffee bars are here in the states. According to a survey conducted by IBOPE Argentina, yerba mate boasts a 92% household consumption rate in Argentina. Yerba Mate, like coffee, is available in different flavors and prepared in various ways.
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