Yerba Mate Tea
Maté tea, the full name of Yerba Maté tea from the translation of the Spanish Yerba Maté is a perennial woody plant similar to the holly family, the Maté tree is generally 12-16 meters tall, the wild ones can reach 20 meters, the leaves are bright green, oval, snow-white flowers between the branches and leaves, growing in South America. The American treatment of this leaf is similar to that of Chinese tea, so in China this unique leaf of the Americas is called "maté tea".
Maté tea is derived from the Guarani word "Caá", which means "plant leaf" and is a gift from the gods, and drinking the plant's juice is a gift from the gods, and the maté tea tree is an outstanding tree that is a source of energy for them during their long walks in the jungle. In addition to being a symbol of worship and ritual, as well as a currency for communication with other pre-Hispanic peoples such as the Incas, Charuas and Araucanians. The conquistadors inherited the virtue and way of drinking maté tea from the Guaraní people, and spread the habit to the point of intense trade, from the initial cultivation areas to the entire Virreinato del Río de la Plata
Later, the Jesuit Fathers incorporated this method of farming into the cultivation programs of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. It was not until 1903 that the first small-scale plantations of maté tea spread in the Nuestra Señorade Loreto, Santa Ana (Misiones Province) and San Javier regions of Argentina, where important natural maté tea plantations were planted. This is why it is also known as "Jesuit tea", "tea from Paraguay", and "missionary tea".
Long-term consumption is very beneficial to health because it contains vitamin B, a powerful antioxidant, produces energy-supplementing effects and helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, helps with anti-stress, digestive functions, purifies the body internally, has anti-depressant properties, and helps athletes recover quickly.
Argentina National Beverage
Maté tea is a specialty of Argentina, and although it is not only produced in Argentina, it is still said that "you are not in Argentina until you drink maté tea". According to statistics from the National Institute for the Study of Maté Tea in Argentina, more than 90% of Argentine households drink maté tea on a permanent basis. Thus, since 2013, the Argentine government has not only declared maté tea as the national beverage through the Constitution 26871, but even established a maté tea festival through the National Constitution 27117.
In 2019, according to the data published by the National Institute for the Study of Maté Tea (INYM), Argentina produced 675,000 tons of maté tea, of which the population consumed (277,000 tons), an average of 6,4 kg per person, and exported to more than 40 countries, with Syria and Chile as the main exporters, followed by Lebanon, the United States, France and other countries. Syria and Chile are the main exporters, followed by Lebanon, the United States, France and other South American countries. It accounts for more than half of the total production of maté tea worldwide making it the largest producer of maté tea.
The maté tea harvest season is from April to September every year, when a large number of new maté teas are released.
Yerba Mate Tea Set of The Precautions
The traditional tea drinking style of the locals is very special. A family or a group of friends sitting around, will be steeped with maté tea leaves Mate maté tea cup inserted a straw, the people present one by one to pass the tea sucking, while sucking and chatting. After drinking and then refill the hot water and continue to suck, until the party broke up. Mate Mate cup for tea is an important tea set, and is also a household utensil that local people attach great importance to. Argentines believe that the kind of teapot used to serve guests is more important than drinking maté tea itself, just as Westerners pay attention to tableware. Most of the maté teapots used by the general public are made of bamboo tubes or gourds hollowed out, without any decoration on the pot.
Suction nozzle is generally made of metal tube, hollowed out oval tube head inserted into the pot to play the role of filtering tea. The high-grade teapot is a work of art, there are metal molded, hardwood carved, gourd inlaid, there are leather wrapped, the shape of a variety of strange. The surface of the pot is engraved with figures, landscapes, flowers and birds, and inlaid with various kinds of gems, which shine in the light, while the suction nozzle is silver-plated and some have some artistic decorations. Most foreign tourists like to buy a maté teapot at the handicraft market to bring back as a souvenir.
The locals often put a lot of tea leaves into the tea, the taste is very bitter when outsiders first drink, but after getting used to it, will not feel bitter, and drink with a sense of aroma, refreshing and refreshing effect, which is very similar to the Chinese bitter tea.
Yerba Mate Infusion Method
Traditional Brewing Method
Like the Chinese tea ceremony culture, maté tea is brewed with a sense of ritual
1. The traditional way of brewing maté tea
It is recommended to use hot water, not boiling water, as too high a temperature can affect the taste of maté tea, so a hot water of 70-85 degrees (depending on personal preference) is usually recommended to brew maté tea to bring out its unique flavor.
2. Modern brewing methods of maté tea
- Use a covered tea set with a fine strainer and avoid using disposable cups.
- Appropriate tea leaves (recommended) 3 grams (about one teaspoon) of tea requires approximately 250 ml of hot water (about 85 degrees Celsius), note that pure water should be used.
- Allow to sit for 5 minutes after brewing and then serve, you can repeat the brewing process.
Modern brewing methods
-Use a covered tea set with a fine strainer and avoid using disposable water cups.
-Approximately 250 ml of hot water (about 85 degrees Celsius) is required for 3 grams (about one teaspoon) of tea leaves.
-Let stand for 5 minutes after brewing and drink, can be repeatedly brewed
You can add honey and lemon to it, or you can try it with milk as a milk tea, or with fruit juice or peel as a fruit tea.
In addition, most people in Argentina prefer to drink it hot and use a special straw for maté tea, La bombilla, while other countries have slightly different drinking habits, such as Paraguay, where it is more often served cold with ice and lemon slices Tereré.
How Much Yerba Mate Per Cup : Yerba Mate Cup
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