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Consumed as an infusion in a gourd, mate is a natural energy drink that is extremely popular in certain South American countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil), just like coffee or tea in Europe.
Say goodbye to chemical energy drinks; there are plenty of natural alternatives. Before we go any further, here's a quick rundown of the 5 most popular natural stimulant drinks.
Consumed for centuries in Argentina , Uruguay , Paraguay and Brazil , mate is the third most consumed caffeinated beverage in the world. Known as a superfood, mate is especially popular for its social aspect and its energizing properties.
A natural drink widely used in Japan, matcha tea is distinguished first by its visual appearance. It comes in the form of a very green powder.
Matcha is a ground green tea. It is prepared with a very specific ritual, notably with a "chasen," a small bamboo whisk. It can also be used in cooking or baking.
Often confused with mate, " mate de coca " is an infusion of coca leaves. It is very popular in the Andean regions because, in addition to being energizing, it helps with altitude.
Although very energizing, coca leaves are nevertheless not authorized on French territory.
Considered the richest food on the planet, spirulina is an algae that has been gaining popularity in recent years.
It is consumed in the form of powder to be diluted.
On the other hand, its taste is not very good at all, so spirulina is generally consumed with fruit juices, smoothies or other cocktails.
A natural energy drink that can be found in all four corners of the world, coffee is obviously the most consumed natural stimulant drink.
However, more and more people are looking for alternatives to coffee to avoid its side effects (sluggishness, anxiety, excitement, stomach aches, yellow teeth, etc.).
Mate is one of those infusions that provides an intense and almost immediate energizing effect...
This effect is primarily due to the caffeine content of mate.
Although the invigorating effect of mate was for a long time attributed to mateine , it was later shown that this molecule is in fact the same as caffeine (just like theine or guaranine).
The caffeine content depends on the preparation method, as it can be prepared in several ways.
No! If mate gives energy, it is thanks to caffeine, but not only. Mate leaves contain another molecule from the same family as caffeine: theobromine .
It is mainly found in cocoa. It is this molecule that is responsible for the good mood provided by chocolate !
Theobromine has a slightly less pronounced energizing effect than caffeine, but the combination of these two molecules explains the more diffuse energizing effect of mate, unlike coffee which provides a famous "energy boost" after a few hours.
Although it is still relatively unknown in France, mate is increasingly consumed instead of classic hot drinks like tea or coffee, or even instead of industrial energy drinks.
Like tea, mate is a drink full of benefits. It is particularly rich in antioxidants (90% more than green tea), vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Beyond the benefits it brings, this drink is above all appreciated by tea lovers for its atypical method of consumption : mate is drunk in a calabash, with a bombilla, and perhaps infused ten times.
Why do we drink coffee? For its taste, and above all, for its energizing effect!
Similar to coffee, mate has a bitter taste. It takes a little time to get used to it before you really like it (just like coffee, again).
But if mate is an excellent alternative to coffee , it is above all for its diffuse energizing effect, which does not cause fatigue, unlike coffee.
Ultimately, mate and coffee are two very similar yet quite different drinks. They share one last thing in common: it's best to avoid drinking them late at night , as this can make it difficult to fall asleep.
It's no secret that the popular commercial energy drinks aren't particularly healthy. So why drink a can of [insert energy drink brand of your choice] when you can drink a healthy, homemade energy drink like yerba mate?
In addition to being energizing and good for your health, mate is a drink full of benefits !
Drinking a natural energy drink is good. Making your own homemade energy drink is even better!
Mate is one of those drinks that anyone can easily make at home. Here are the 5 main methods for preparing mate.
Traditionally, preparing mate is a real ritual.
Preparing a cocido mate (or "gringo style" mate) means preparing your mate as you would any type of tea or infusion: with a tea ball or in a teapot.
Cold brewed, or hot brewed and then chilled in the freezer, iced mate (or " tereré ") is the perfect way to make your own homemade energy drink on hot summer days.
Nothing could be simpler, just brew some mate (either in a teapot or an infuser), then let it cool for a few hours...
Serve very cold. Nothing beats a good iced mate in the middle of summer.
No longer really an energy drink strictly speaking, mate in a cocktail remains one of the methods of preparing mate (atypical, we understand!).
To learn more: 4 Mate Cocktail Recipes
The simplest way to prepare mate is with an infuser.
In the form of a glass or stainless steel bottle, the infuser allows you to prepare your mate easily, and in just a few seconds.
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