Hierba Mate

C

CanDo

Joined
Mar 10, 2006
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Who here drinks Hierba (Yerba) Mate, or has tried it?

I just had some the first time the other day, and it's awesome! For those who don't know it's a drink popular in South America very similar to tea but made from the leaves of a bush. Los guachos (Argentinian cowboys) drink it for energy, and it keeps them going all day even with minimal food or other nutrition. It's similar to coffee or tea, but in a strange way will actually help you sleep as well as it can help keep you energized. Sounds like an excellent outdoors drink.

You take your small container (calabzita - little gourd/squash (which is what they're made from)) and fill it with mate. Then you add hot water whenever you stop to rest. You can get many refills with one load of mate (more than ten).
 
I think it is actually spelled as above. It is most common in Argentina and Southern Brazil. Having traveled extensively through the area, you'll notice they drink it like we drink coffee. It's good, but I still prefer coffee.
 
bikerider,

It's spelled both hierba and yerba with the latter being more popular in Argentina (so I'm told anyway). I prefer the taste of coffee (now, anyway), but my limited experience seems to indicate that mate is much better as an energy drink - especially for long days.

For people without Spanish language background, mate is pronounced like "Mah-tay"
 
I love it. Sadly I am down to the stems and dust, so when I make a cup, all the particles make it up the straw. Need to buy some more, Energy was way up and my appetite went down.
 
Darbyfett said:
I love it. Sadly I am down to the stems and dust, so when I make a cup, all the particles make it up the straw. Need to buy some more, Energy was way up and my appetite went down.
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Where do you buy yours? I couldn't find any in a local grocery store. I'll try looking in a local city with a big Spanish speaking population even though they're mostly Dominican. If that doesn't work, I'll almost surely be able to find some in another city with a big Brazilian population though it's a bit further away.
 
There are also options out there if you don't want to use the straw thing. There are plenty of places that sell concentrate that you mix with milk. I like it at night when I need a little buzz, but would still like to fall asleep. Pixie Mate is pretty good, I can't speak as to the other ones.
 
If you live near the coastal plain in the SE US you can collect and drink the leaves of the yaupon holly (iex vomitoria). Dont be put off by the Latin name. Early settlers saw it used by the Creek Indians in their ceremonial 'Black Drink', which they would drink large amounts and vomit as part of a ceremony. The berries will cause this. Look up yaupon tea on the net. Lots of info. It is in the holly (Ilex) family and a South American relative is used for yeba mate. It is the only plant in North America with caffiene, and is still served, i have read, in some b&b's in South Carolina. It seems it was popular throughout the South in the Colonial days. Pick the leaves, dry-roast them on a tray in the oven till they are black,then crumble and use like loose tea. I allways have some around the house for something different. I would be curious to know in anyone here, especially in South Carolina is familliar with, or has tried it.
 
CanDo said:
Where do you buy yours? I couldn't find any in a local grocery store. I'll try looking in a local city with a big Spanish speaking population even though they're mostly Dominican. If that doesn't work, I'll almost surely be able to find some in another city with a big Brazilian population though it's a bit further away.
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This is where I bought mine
http://www.guayaki.com/

Doubt anyone in my city would carry it.
 
I'm a big fan of yerba mate (Maw-tay). I was introduced to it while in Argentina. It tastes and smells like alfalfa, and offers a hell of a caffeine kick. It is served very hot, too hot for me usually, so I end up delaying the drinking. It is a very social activity, where one person works the thermos, and has the honor (or chore) of the first very strong drink. Once empty, you refill the tea base until the water is lifting the top layer a bit, and pass it to the next person. They drink it down, you refill, and pass to #3, then #4 until all have had their drink. Then the cycle repeats. If anybody says "thank you" then they are done drinking.

You'll see everybody down in Argentina drinking it while they are driving. Wheel in one hand, bowl and bombilla (the straw or pipette) in the other.

For availability, big markets like Seattle's Pike Place should have it, and I've seen it in finer grocery chains. I stocked up and bought 2 kilos last time I went south :)
 
Good stuff--works to keep you awake while studying, etc. Be advised that at least other kinds of holly have toxic chemicals in them; so, though I know of no problems with yerba mate itself, I tend not to guzzle huge quantities of it. Other kinds of holly, I'd suggest you be REALLY careful before making tea, etc., out of it, since I think some can do serious internal damage--kidneys, maybe, if I remember correctly.
 
I drink yerba almost every morning. Had to give up coffee for stomach issues.

yerba is also in my BOB. Very good source of quick nutrients.
 
i have loved it for some time as well. i prefer to drink it cold. it doesnt need to be brewed hot. i get mine from an asian market that has sections for many other parts of the world one of which is america del sur or south america.i picked up a neat new toy from REI that is designed to brew coffee in, built somewhat like a tea ball. works great for your mate on the trail.

ryan
 
I love loose tea jerba, nothing finer there
 
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