Being one of the most caffeinated beverages consumed in the world (along with tea and coffee), mate is a traditional drink that is very widespread in South America. It is found mainly in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil where it is called "chimarrão". Composition, taste, preparation, traditions... Discover everything you need to know about mate.
What is mate?
Mate is a traditional beverage from Latin America. It is an infusion made from the leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis for its scientific name), a tree that grows mainly in northeastern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil.
Consumed in South America since the 16th century, mate was already consumed by the Guarani, an indigenous people. They used the leaves to chew. Mate was then used by the Paraguayan Jesuits who consumed it as an infusion and exported it to neighboring countries. Mate is, moreover, still today nicknamed the "tea of the Jesuits". Although it was forbidden by Spanish colonists, mate eventually became established as the traditional drink of Latin America.
What does mate taste like?
In general, mate has a relatively bitter, vegetal taste. But its flavors can be different depending on the type of mate used, the production method, the harvest, the aging period and its preparation method.
Here are the main types of mate and their flavors:
- Aged mate: this is the most widespread version in the world and the most appreciated by purists. To make this type of mate, the leaves are aged between 12 and 24 months. Its pronounced taste offers smoky and full-bodied notes. It's worth noting that the higher the maturation time, the more pronounced the flavor will be.
- Green mate: unlike the previous one, there is no aging step to make green mate. It is therefore consumed freshly harvested and has a smoother, fresher, more delicate and less bitter flavor. Quite close to green tea, it is the type of mate most appreciated by newcomers.
- Roasted mate: as its name suggests, this type of mate undergoes an additional step, that of roasting. This gives the mate a smoky and slightly caramelized flavor.
Beyond mate varieties, other elements can impact the taste of mate: