True connoisseurs of this drink prefer to refrain from buying this form of tea packaging. Real gourmets who know a lot about teas often prefer exotic varieties. For example, they don't need to be told what mate is and why it is so good.

An inexperienced person in these matters, such a huge variety of varieties of tea, which in beautiful packages and colorful jars stand in rows on the shelves in stores, can be confusing. Unknowingly, many undeservedly bypass exotic varieties. But some of them can benefit our organisms. For example, a tea called mate, which is not very popular for our country, is very useful for health.

Tea, which came to us from South America, is sometimes called Paraguayan. This is because a tonic drink called mate is made from dried and crushed leaves and young shoots of Paraguayan holly, which are also called “mate herb”, mate and Paraguayan tea. The tree itself grows exclusively in Latin American countries.

Mate tea is very diverse. Paraguayan tea comes in gold, green and brown colors. If the colors of the first two varieties of the drink are quite natural, then the brown color of the brew acquires after it is fried in a special way.

Whatever the grade of mate, its taste is very unusual for a Russian person. There is also a little bitterness in it, and at the same time a little sweetness - a rare combination, words cannot be explained, one must try. The main thing here is to properly prepare the drink. And there are a number of subtleties here.

Calabas and Bombilla

It is not enough to buy the mate tea itself. It is also necessary to purchase special utensils for its use. First, you will need a vessel for making this type of tea, called calabas, or calabash. Initially, the Indians made them from gourd gourds. Now, along with it, other materials are used. Such as, for example, oak wood, or porcelain, or ceramics. But if mate is to be cooked according to all the rules, then it is necessary to cook it in a calabash made from pumpkin.

Secondly, you need something with which to drink mate. This should be done with a special metal tube called bombilla. A cane or bamboo reed will also work. The second option is less preferable, since only the bombilla has a special strainer inside, thanks to which even the smallest particles of tea leaves are retained, as a result of which their entry into the mouth is completely excluded.

Not only do you need to use special devices to prepare the mate, it is important to follow the entire process correctly from start to finish. Especially if you are using pumpkin calabash.

Before using this vessel for the first time, it must be “revived”. To do this, fill the container with completely dry mate grass, fill it with hot water and leave for about a day. Then pour out the drink, scrape the walls of the vessel from the inside to remove the top layer of softened wood.

After that, brew a new portion of tea in the container, which will be suitable for drinking. Such a long and, at first glance, unnecessary procedure to "revitalize" the calabash is done so that the pores of the pumpkin are saturated with the substances contained in the mate grass, and henceforth you will not feel any extraneous tastes. A similar ritual should also be performed if the kalabas has not been used for a long time.

But never leave the appliance full for a long time. After standing for more than a day, the drink can become moldy, after which the vessel will have to be thrown away.

Calabas should not be kept either full or empty. Before putting it on the far shelf, it is recommended to pour a few grams of dry mate grass into the vessel.

So, after the kalabas has been infused for a day, the container is thoroughly cleaned and washed. After that, it is considered that she is ready to prepare a drink.

Everything according to the rules

There are many ways to brew mate tea. The classic way to make an extraordinary drink is this one: fill the calabas with dry mate two-thirds and shake it so that the whole infusion is near one wall. After that, place the container on the table and insert the bombill into it. Now you need to pour cold water into the Calabas. But not to the top. The liquid should be slightly more than half of the total volume of the entire calabash. The main thing is that the water slightly moistens the tea leaves, being completely absorbed.

Readiness is determined by slightly tilting the jug. The tea leaves should swell a little and look like a thick green porridge.

Then pour some hot water or boiling water into the container. After a couple of minutes, the drink is ready. It is not recommended to insist on the mate for a long time, otherwise it will taste bitter.

With each subsequent brewing, the amount of hot water can be gradually increased until the calabash is full and frothy. If part of the tea leaves on top of the jug is dry at first, don't worry. It will be added during the subsequent brewing process.

Mate is also drunk in a special way. It should be sipped in small sips, and bombilla should be at the very bottom of the Calabas all the time. That is, you should use tea from the very thick. This will save you the chance of getting hot water.

South Americans have another recipe for brewing mate tea. To do this, you need orange juice. It must be added to Calabas instead of cold water... After that, just add hot water and add a sugar cube. Now try it!

No orange juice? Then you can try another extremely interesting way of making mate tea. It is cooked “the other way around”. Add dry tea leaves and the same amount of sugar to one liter of boiling water. Let it brew for a few minutes, mix thoroughly and - you can drink.

Instead of orange juice, you can take milk. For a few cups of tea, you need half a liter, no more. Heat it on the stove without bringing it to a boil. Add about 30 grams of mate to the hot milk and mix thoroughly. Then bring to a boil and turn off immediately. Strain through a strainer and pour into cups. Calabas in this case is not required, but you shouldn't forget the bombilla. Why - we will tell below.

For pleasure and health

Mate is drunk both for pleasure and for some of the beneficial properties of this drink. Paraguayan tea, in addition to its amazing taste, has a lot of useful properties. First of all, it is an excellent tonic that helps to restore strength and has a beneficial effect on the protective functions of the body. It is drunk to improve mood, relieve symptoms of nervousness and anxiety, and to increase physical activity. If you regularly drink the drink, then the obsessive feeling of anxiety will gradually go away.

Experts recommend mate as a remedy that affects the general psycho-emotional state and helps to calm the nervous system. This drink helps to lower blood pressure and for the better affects the work of the heart.

The tonic effect is achieved thanks to the matein contained in this herb. This substance is similar to caffeine, but more effective and does not cause side effects in the form of increased heart rate and nervous tremors. It allows you to increase the body's performance and helps to increase its resistance to viral infections.

In terms of composition and microelements, mate is comparable to ordinary black tea. It also contains vitamins A, E, C, P, B vitamins, as well as trace elements, including sulfur, magnesium, potassium, manganese, sodium, iron, copper, chlorine, and some acids necessary for normal human activity.

However, be careful!

With all the exceptional usefulness of Paraguayan mate tea, we must not forget that there are a number of restrictions and nuances that must be observed when drinking this drink.

Never drink mate tea on an empty stomach. Otherwise, unpleasant consequences from the stomach may occur.

You should not drink mate tea before bed, otherwise you will not fall asleep.

You cannot drink this tea just from a cup. Improper use of mate without the use of bombilla can lead to deterioration of the condition of the tooth enamel. Take care of your teeth! Do not let the drink linger in your mouth for a long time and do not drink it in large sips.

Do not drink mate hot. Scientists have conducted studies that have found some link between the use of hot mate and cancer of some organs of the gastrointestinal tract.

In general, as in everything else, a measure is needed here. Try this amazing tea, enjoy and experiment! Drink yourself and brew with friends. If you follow all the rules for the preparation and use of this drink, then soon you will certainly feel all of its useful properties.

According to legend, mate tea was sent by the gods to the Indians from South America. In the 17th century, these lands were conquered by the Spaniards, who appreciated the miraculous properties of this ancient drink and brought it to Europe. For several centuries, Europeans did not remember about this tea, and only now it has gained its former popularity when people became aware of its invigorating and tonic qualities. In addition, mate has a rich composition of vitamins and useful elements.

Composition and benefits of mate

The composition of mate resembles black tea. 100 g of dry leaves of the drink contains 2.94 parts of proteins and 12.3 carbohydrates, and fats are completely absent in it. Mate is widely consumed by athletes because its nutritional value meets the needs of people experiencing serious physical exercise... Tea has a positive effect on tired muscles by promoting quick recovery vitality. It reduces the cravings for smoking and alcoholic drinks, increases sex drive, and improves mood. It is also used as an antispasmodic to normalize digestion. But you should also be aware that this exotic product is not suitable for daily use.

The leaves of the Paraguayan holly, which are made by mate tea, contain the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A. It improves vision, lipid metabolism, slowing down aging, protein synthesis.
• B-group vitamins. A complex of useful substances that contribute to the normal functioning of the nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, stabilization of blood sugar, and increased stress resistance. In addition, they are responsible for hormonal levels, normal brain functioning, metabolism, etc.
• Vitamin C. Strengthens the immune system, regulates blood clotting, has an anti-inflammatory effect, protects against stress, etc.
• Vitamin PP. Another name for vitamin PP is nicotinic acid, or nicotinamide. Vitamin allows you to maintain the skin in normal condition, effectively regulate blood cholesterol, minimize the risk of heart and vascular diseases.
• Calcium. A trace element necessary for teeth and bones, which improves blood clotting, has an anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory effect. Its content in mate tea is 495 mg per 100 g.
• Magnesium. It produces energy, participates in the absorption of glucose, is required for the synthesis of proteins and the construction of bone tissue. In 100 g of mate, its content is 440 mg.
• Phosphorus. The trace element is an active participant in metabolism, it is necessary for the formation of bones and teeth, the implementation of mental and muscular activity, and the production of energy. 100 g of mate contains 824 mg of phosphorus.
• Sodium. With the help of this microelement, the normalization of water-salt metabolism is ensured, gastric juice is produced, blood vessels expand, and pancreatic enzymes are activated. 100 dried tea leaves contain 82 mg of sodium.
• Potassium. A trace element necessary for metabolic processes. With its help, the body's water balance is regulated, the normal functioning of muscles, blood vessels and capillaries is ensured, the work of the heart is normalized, etc. Mate tea contains 2480 mg per 100 g.
• Pantothenic Acid. Restores cell functions, provides support for the required level of adrenaline in the blood.
• Choline. Responsible for the normalization of cholesterol levels.
• Chlorophyll. It has a positive effect on human immunity.

The richness of vitamins and microelements included in this Paraguayan drink makes it especially useful and popular on many continents.

Harm of mate tea and contraindications to use

Mate tea is distinguished by a large number of nutrients included in it, but some carcinogens are also present in this product. Let us highlight below who this tea is contraindicated and what can be caused by abuse of it.

1. The drink should not be consumed by pregnant women, nursing mothers, children and adolescents.
2. People suffering from kidney disease, allergy to theophylline and theobromine, and urolithiasis should use mate with great caution.
3. Overuse of mate can negatively affect the skin, causing it to dry.
4. With frequent consumption of hot mate, some of its ingredients can cause benign or cancerous growth, while conventional teas fight them.

Features of brewing and drinking mate tea

The aroma and taste of mate will be fully revealed and will bring pleasure only if it is brewed correctly. Traditionally, this drink is poured into a pear-shaped vessel called kalabas. They drink tea using a metal tube with a filter at the end. It is located on the side and is called bombilla. However, in the absence of such attributes for a tea ceremony, tea can be brewed in a coffee maker and poured hot into cups using a strainer.

How to brew mate correctly:

1. Fill with tea leaves, spreading it on one side of the vessel. In this case, the second groan should remain free.
2. Pour enough water over the brew to absorb it and moisten it.
3. Wait until the contents of the calabash swell and become like green porridge.
4. Take a bombilla, clamp its upper hole and lower it into a vessel.
5. Fill the entire vessel with hot water.
6. Let the drink brew, and then drink it in small sips.

When brewing mate tea, remember that you need to fill it with hot water, but its temperature should not exceed 80 degrees, since boiling water destroys all useful substances. You can brew the drink two to three times. At the same time, adding a new portion of water does not reduce the beneficial qualities of tea. But its taste changes after each spill. Initially brewed tea has a herbaceous flavor, and when water is added again, it becomes bitter-tart.

Mate tea is also consumed cold with the addition of sugar or honey. Place ice cubes, fresh mint, rose petals or vanilla on the bottom of the cup before serving. Then any fruit juice is poured, and then the drink pre-filtered through a sieve.

25.07.2016

Paraguayan mate tea harm and benefit, which we will consider today in this article - the pearl of every woman's tea collection! But, there are many who do not yet know about useful properties this drink. So what is mate?

Indian drink from time immemorial

Needless to say, tea is a favorite among all drinks consumed on different continents. Depending on the processing of its leaves and further fermentation, it can be green, yellow, white, and even black and red!

However, there are also a huge number of herbal infusionswhich are very popular. At the same time, a rather significant place in this hierarchy of warm drinks is occupied by ethnic teas, which have quite a lot in common (method of drinking and brewing, effect on the body, etc.) with their traditional counterparts.

These exotic teas include:

• brazilian catuaba;
• argentinean lapacho;
• honeybush;
• african rooibos;
• paraguayan mate.

The last of these has a special place! The reason for this may be both its incredible taste and brewing procedure, as well as very conflicting reviews about its action. By the way, in our tea shops almost equally often, along with the inscriptions on the mate cans, you can find the name of this drink as mate.

And after reading this article, be sure to check the entry about! We promise - it will be interesting!

Mate from Indian legends. The history of the drink.

The benefits and harms of mate tea are fanned by ancient Indian legends. The indigenous population of Ancient America sincerely believed in its magical origin and properties. For centuries, it was believed that through the correct use of mate tea, you can quickly quench your thirst, relieve hunger and fully recover your strength after a hard day's work.

The missionaries who discovered mate for themselves in the sixteenth century, of course, could not resist “hammering together” their business on the gullible Indians. They bought the drink they liked from the local population for a pittance and sent it to Europe, earning decent money on the sale of this "green gold".

Seafarers used mate on their long voyages to escape fever and scurvy. During tropical jungle treks, this incredible drink was energizing and rejuvenating. How can you not believe in his magical qualities ?!

However, later, he was undeservedly forgotten for some time. True, after the discovery in the nineteenth century of the plant with the name Illex Paraguariensis it was cultivated in Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. From the crushed shoots and leaves of this plant, they began to produce on a factory scale, and the beneficial properties of this tea were able to strengthen it on the pedestal of popular drinks of the South American continent.

A kind of mate preparation ceremony was even restored, for which they began to use a container of hollowed out dried pumpkin (calabash) and a reed (less often metal) tube with a sieve at one end - bombilla.

Mate brewing technology

So, if you want to get the most out of the benefits of mate, fully revealing its aroma and rich taste, you should purchase or make yourself (for owners of summer cottages to grow such a pumpkin is a trifle!) The above accessories. Naturally, we need the tea leaves itself.

For the first time, I would advise you to use tea with a filling (for example, mate with lemon), since the taste of a "pure" drink is quite specific and unusual for an inexperienced person.

The very procedure for brewing tea is as follows:

1. we fall asleep 2/3 of the volume of the prepared calabash brew and shake it so that a free space is formed at one wall of the container (we will insert a bombill here after that);
2. set the calabash in a vertical position and pour hot (about eighty degrees) water into it on a straw;
3. let the drink brew for five to seven minutes, and then drink it through a straw in small sips;
4. the procedure of adding water is repeated until the taste of mate disappears completely (each time the taste becomes more subtle and more interesting).

You can enjoy the benefits of Paraguayan mate tea with its bitter taste and smoky notes in the aroma without special dishes. To do this, brew it in a teapot according to European standards and after 10 minutes enjoy the warmth of the Argentinean sun in your kitchen!

Mate tea: benefits and harms

Benefit

Hispanics consume mate all day long. Bitter in the morning - to get vigor for the whole day, cool in the afternoon - to quench your thirst and in the evening sweet (with honey or sugar) for a healthy and sound sleep.

This tonic drink is able to provide you with a whole list of healing properties, useful elements and reasons for you to become a fan too!

Research at the Pasteur Institute has established that the composition of mate contains more than two hundred components. It contains:

• trace elements: sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, copper, magnesium, etc.;
• tannins: tannin, etc.;
• saponins;
• bioflavonoids: quercetin and rutin;
• organic acids necessary for human health: resin, isobutyric, isocaproic, isovaleric, etc.;
• a nicotinic acid;
• b vitamins;
• vitamin E;
• vitamin C;
• vitamin A.

The composition of the leaves of the plant is similar to the chemical composition of the leaves. green tea... At the same time, mate tea, the benefits and harms of which vary from the intensity of its use and the way of life, has some features in front of it:

• the mat contains the so-called "matein", which is an incredibly powerful alkoloid that allows you to quickly tone muscles and relieve tension after hard work;
• mata has a much higher level of antioxidants (even higher than green tea);
• different manufacturing methods (mate goes through several stages of slow drying and smoking, which gives a special note of haze in its aroma and taste).

Matein

This alkaloid deserves closer attention. In terms of its qualities, it is similar to its "brother" - caffeine. At the same time, it is able to provide a more gentle and gentle effect on the human body, without loading the work of the cardiac system and without causing excessive overexcitation.

Useful video about tea mate:

The world famous South American tea mate is a drink made from the leaves and shoots of a tree called Paraguayan holly, and also Paraguayan tea or mate. It is a drink with a long history, unique in its composition and tonic effect.

Paraguayan tea is spelled hierba mate in Spanish. In Russian, two spellings of the word are considered correct - "mate" and "mate". They are pronounced the same way - with a shock "e" at the end. Although the whole world pronounces the name of tea with an accent on the letter "a" (the first syllable).

The word "mate" also refers to a vessel for tea or other drinks made from hollowed out and dried pumpkin. But in Russian, an analogue of the name of such a vessel has taken root - calabash (or calabash, calabash).

History of tea

The exact time of the origin of mate has not been established, but this drink was still appreciated by the tribes of the Indians of South America in the 16th century. The word “mate” as the name of a vessel is mentioned in literary works of the early 17th century, “potion of mate” - in the first half of the 18th century. But tea itself existed long before that.

The South American Gaurani Indians have a very beautiful legend. In it, the goddess of the moon and the goddess of the Clouds descended to earth. Inadvertently, they were almost attacked by an angry jaguar, but were rescued by an old man from the Gaurani tribe. As a reward, they gave the old man a Paraguayan holly seed and an amazing tea recipe.

Since the late 16th century, European colonization of South America led to the popularization and spread of this type of tea. Today it is considered Argentine, although its use is included in the national traditions of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay.

Properties and composition of tea

Holly leaf infusion has unique tonic properties due to the chemical composition of the raw materials from which it is made. It includes:

• more than 10 acids useful for the human body, including nicotinic (vitamin PP), pantothenic (vitamin B5), ursolic;
• caffeine, tannin (tonic substances);
• protein;
• riboflavin (vitamin B2), rutin (vitamin P), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), choline.

Beneficial features

The list of useful properties of tea is very impressive. It is noted that as a result of its use:

1. Blood pressure is normalized.
2. The heart is better saturated with oxygen.
3. Blood circulation throughout the body (including the brain) is stabilized.
4. There is a decrease in high cholesterol levels.
5. The immune system becomes more robust.
6. The mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines are restored.
7. The nervous system is strengthened, stress resistance increases.
8. Potency in men increases.
9. The craving for alcohol and tobacco smoking decreases.

The main quality of tea is its high tonic properties. Mate tea is useful as effective method relieve fatigue, refresh the head, give vigor and strength.

Can I use the infusion for weight loss

It is believed that the infusion of mate can be used for weight loss, it can help in the fight against extra pounds. It has a stimulating effect on digestion, improves metabolic processes in the body. Thus, mate tea acts on weight loss.

Of course, it's ridiculous to expect that the drink will magically "burn fat". Losing weight is a long-term process associated with restriction of food and an increase in physical activity. And exotic tea can be a good helper in this.

Harm from use, contraindications

The benefits and harms of drinking tea are determined by the individual characteristics of the person, the state of health. Like any highly active agent of natural origin, tea has a number of contraindications for use:

1. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood.
2. The presence of an inflammatory process, accompanied by an increase in temperature, high blood pressure.
3. Kidney disease, stones in the urinary or gall bladders.
4. Allergic reaction to tea components.

If you have serious health problems about the possibility of regular tea drinking, it is better to consult a doctor.

Reviews of doctors

There is a lot of controversy in the discussion of the possible harm from the use of mate, a large number of carcinogens in the infusion. Carcinogens are poisonous and can trigger cancer. According to doctors, this effect is associated with the use of a very high temperature infusion.

Tea should be brewed at a temperature not exceeding 80 degrees Celsius, and drunk moderately hot (not steep boiling water).

The properties of yerba mate have been tested by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization. According to research, very hot tea has been officially listed as a carcinogen.

Calabaza with Bombilla

Real calabash (or calabash, calabash) is made from a certain type of gourd. It was from them that the Indians made calabash, generously decorating the walls of the vessels with scorched or cut patterns. Subsequently, the Spaniards, who adopted the mate recipe and dishes for it, began to make calabash from some species of trees (rosewood, oak), as well as porcelain, ceramics and even silver.

In memory of the round pumpkin, the calabash still has the shape of a small pot-bellied pot for brewing tea. In order to drink mate from calabash, he is supplied either with a stick of reed or bamboo, or with a special tube - bombilla.

Bombilla is made of silver or cupronickel. It is all permeated with small holes, which filter the tea as it climbs, clearing the infusion from small particles of the tea leaves. Calebasa and bombilla are essential attributes of a proper yerba mate brewing ceremony.

Tea recipe

Correctly brewing mate tea should be armed with special utensils and brewing raw materials. To prepare traditional mate, the “tea master” will need:

• calabash;
• bombilla;
• a flat lid that fits snugly over the top of the calabash.

Ingredients:

• mate powder;
• boiling water.

Despite the exoticism, the brewing ritual is not so difficult and consists of the following steps:

Step 1. Put mate in the calabash. The vessel should be 65-70% filled with tea raw materials.

Step 2. The throat of the calabash is tightly closed, and the vessel itself is vigorously shaken several times. This is necessary so that large parts of the tea leaves are at the bottom, and the "dust" is at the top.

Step 3. The water temperature for brewing tea should not exceed 80 degrees. Since water boils at a temperature of 90 degrees, after boiling it is allowed to cool slightly.

Step 4. Boiling water must be poured so that the distribution of raw materials in the vessel is preserved. For this, the vessel is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees, and boiling water is slowly poured along the wall. Gradually the calabash takes a vertical position, filling completely.

Step 5. To prevent the bombilla from clogging with the tea leaves, its upper part is tightly corked with a finger, the other end is inserted into the vessel, gently leading it along the wall to the very bottom.

Step 6. The drink is brewed quickly. The recommended time is from 30 seconds to 2 minutes (no more than 5 minutes). Tea is prepared just before drinking, and the longer it is infused, the more bitterness will prevail in the taste.

How to drink mate tea

Traditionally, all those gathered for tea drinking mate directly from the calabash through one bombilya. The first sips are taken by the "tea master", and then the calabash is passed in a circle. It is slowly tipped, grabbing the thick at the bottom.

It was considered indecent and even offensive to come to a tea party with your bombilla. Such tea drinking was both a beautiful ceremony and a ritual for rallying friends, uniting people into a strong union.

How to brew a drink without calabash

If there is no calabash and bombilla, it doesn't matter. Mate tea can be brewed in a regular porcelain teapot and then poured into cups through a strainer. Of course, the tea ceremony will lose its South American charm, but the taste of the tea itself will not suffer from this.

Types of mate tea

According to the territory of origin of raw materials, mate tea is divided into Argentine, Brazilian and Paraguayan. To create raw materials, both a dry holly leaf and its stems are used:

• tea without stems is stronger, richer and more fragrant (mate sin palo);
• the stems in the tea leaves give the infusion a taste softness (variety con palo).

Other main varieties of mate:

• organic - the tea leaves are harvested by hand and "aged" for at least two years;
• traditional - the aging period is one year;
• “Soft” - not as bitter as other varieties;
• "With smoke" (barbagua variety) - this feature is provided by the special processing of the leaf.

For lovers, tea is produced with all kinds of fruit and berry additives. For example, popular varieties: with the aroma of orange - mate aguante tea, with cherries or raspberries, apple, lime, lemon. An option is herbal mate tea. Mint and lemon balm leaves are added to the main raw materials. For people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, ginkgo biloba mate tea will be especially useful.

Additional Information! Another drink called terere is also made from mate raw materials. For this, the calabash with tea powder is poured with cold clean water or juice, adding spices and herbs.

Packaged mate

Argentine mate tea is popular in tea bags for infusion in a regular cup. Today in Russia all popular varieties of yerba mate can be purchased in packaged packaging.

Tea bags are also popular in European countries, where complex tea rituals are not held in high esteem, and people are used to making and drinking tea as easy as possible.

About step-by-step instructions for brewing mate, about the devices that you need to prepare the drink, and about its taste characteristics in this video:

Mate tea is easy to make on your own, armed with special utensils and raw materials for brewing. It is popular for its tonic, healing and flavoring properties. However, there are also contraindications to the use of this drink.

Hot mate tea is interesting for its ancient history, and its brewing and drinking according to all the rules constitutes a beautiful exotic ritual.

Mate tea can be called the most exotic tea for our country. It belongs to ethnic teas, on a par with Brazilian catuaba, Argentinean lapacho, African rooibos. You can read a lot of conflicting reviews about mate tea, which are dictated by the unusual properties of the drink. So what can you expect from mate tea, harm or benefit?

The indigenous population of Latin America has enveloped this tea in numerous legends, believing that tea has magical properties. Mate can cause an unusual surge of strength and vivacity, satisfy hunger and thirst. In the 16th century, missionaries bought raw materials for unusual tea for a pittance. By sending him to Europe, they earned decent money. Mariners drank mate tea, during long sea voyages he saved them from severe fever and scurvy. He supported and encouraged travelers on their treks through the rainforest.

For a while, they undeservedly forgot about tea. But in the 19th century, the Illex Paraguariensis plant was discovered. It began to be cultivated in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay. Mate tea was made from crushed shoots and leaves, which was produced in industrial volumes. On the South American continent, he immediately became extremely popular.

Then the tea ceremony was invented using special utensils for mate: bombilla and calabash. The calabash was a pumpkin container, and the bombilla was a cane tube.

What is mate tea made of?

The raw materials for making mate tea are the shoots and leaves of the Paraguayan holly. The plant is found in the wild and is also cultivated on plantations. The holly can reach a height of 15 meters. It has serrated leaves, small greenish-white flowers.

The collectors take the branches of the plant, pluck the leaves from them. The raw material is thoroughly dried. After that, the shoots, the leaves are crushed to a powder state. Tea good quality can be determined by the following parameters: the presence of dust, broken pieces of leaves and small remains of the stem is mandatory.

The chemical composition of mate tea

Holly leaves contain over 190 different components. This discovery was made by scientists from the Pasteur Institute. Among the elements contained in tea, the following can be distinguished:

• organic acids (isobutyric, isocaproic, isovaleric, resin);
• vitamins (nicotinic acid, A, B, C, E);
• bioflavonoids (quercetin, rutin);
• tannins (tannin);
• saponins (beta-amyrin);
• macro- and microelements (manganese, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron).

Compared to classic green tea mat contains more antioxidants and alkaloids. Experts point out that green tea contains caffeine, while mate contains matein. It is similar in its action to caffeine, but its effect on the human body is more gentle and gentle. Matein does not cause an increase in heart rate, overexcitation. The invigorating effect of caffeine lasts about three hours, while mateine \u200b\u200binvigorates several times longer. An important advantage of mate is that it does not cause sleep disturbances.

Useful properties of mate tea

Since ancient times, the Indians have used holly drink to treat infectious diseases. Currently, for many diseases, mate tea is recommended, the benefits of which have been proven by scientists.

• Stimulates the work of the gastrointestinal tract.
• It has a diuretic effect.
• It has antispasmodic properties.
• Improves vascular permeability.
• Speeds up metabolism.
• Reduces appetite.
• Improves heart function.
• Helps cope with depression.

Contraindications and harm of mate tea

Through research, scientists were convinced not only of the beneficial properties of tea, but also found that it can be harmful. We have examined people who have used mate in large quantities over the years. A connection was found between the occurrence of some types of cancer and the intake of tea. Scientists concluded that heavy consumption of tea in combination with active smoking of tobacco and taking alcoholic beverages becomes a catalyst for tumor growth.

Statistics have shown that mouth cancer is caused by people drinking too hot tea. The calabash, from which the drink is drunk, stays high for too long. This circumstance led to the emergence of diseases of the bladder.

PAGs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonates) were found in tea. Their combination with alcohol, tobacco, fried meat creates favorable conditions for the development of tumors. It is not recommended to drink a large amount of hot drink, especially while drinking alcohol and during a feast. If you follow these rules, consume Paraguayan tea no more than two to three times a week, the tea will only benefit.

How to make mate tea

There are some subtleties of brewing this tea. It is brewed in its original container. It is called kalabas, kalebas. Previously, calabash was made from pumpkin, now it is made from stainless materials, wood, and plastic. They differ in volume. There are large-volume calabash for large companies, there are small ones designed for a single enjoyment of a drink.

Connoisseurs of mate, after purchasing a calabash, prepare it for further use. Tea mixture is poured into calabash, 2/3 of the volume is poured with high temperature water. The vessel is left for a day without covering it with a lid. After that, the mixture is poured out, and the calabash is cleaned with a damp cloth.

The person who brews tea is called sevador. The art of cooking is sevar. Do not rush when brewing a drink. The tea leaves are poured into the calabash, poured with cold water, and left for a while to swell the tea leaves. Then a tube (bombilyu) is inserted into the middle. There is a strainer on one side of this tube and a mouthpiece on the other. The tube is made of metal, before it was made of bamboo. Hot water is added to the container. After two minutes, you can enjoy the original taste of the drink. The tea can be re-brewed.

How to drink mate

For the people of South America, the process of drinking tea is a mystery. It lasts almost two hours and usually takes place in a big friendly company, in a warm atmosphere. Mate tea is drunk in small sips, the liquid is drawn out through a straw from the very thick. The tea should not be allowed to ferment in the vessel. Otherwise, bitterness will form, the drink will become harmful. It is rare in tea, but ice, milk, sugar are added. It is believed that the tea will fully open only after the fourth addition of hot water.

With daily use of the calabash drink, it is enough to rinse after use, store in a wet state. With rare use, calabash and bombilla must be thoroughly washed, turned over so that the water is glass.