August 2017: Argentina Yerba Mate Tea – “The Antioxidant Powerhouse” Coming to India

Argentine Yerba Mate Tea (Jer-bah Mah-tay) is a widely consumed infusion in South American countries especially in Argentina (its national drink). It is obtained from leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis tree – rainforest herb. Processing steps comprise heat treatment, drying, seasoning and grinding.

Argentina is the main world producer of Yerba Mate, and in Argentina it is cultivated only (for its climate and red soil) in the provinces of Misiones and northeast of Corrientes.

Yerba Mate is very popular in Argentina, Brazil Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile (South America), and growing popularity in United States & Canada (North America), Germany, Spain, Austria (EU), Japan, Korea, Syria, Lebanon, UAE, Turkey (Asia) and soon to be launched in India.

The infusions of yerba mate have a great antioxidant power due to their high concentration of polyphenols (50% more than Green Tea*). Polyphenols enhance the body’s natural defences and protect it from cellular damage.

How it is Prepared:

Argentine Yerba Mate is very versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways, from a tea infuser or French press to a coffee machine, even an espresso maker.  It can be consumed hot, or cold, and served with milk and honey or iced with lemon, orange and mint, the combinations are endless.

 Yerba Mate is prepared by steeping dried leaves in hot water and is served with a metal straw from a shared hollow gourd (container). See the pics above.

Properties and Benefits:

Vitamins: It has B-complex vitamins, which help the body to take advantage of the energy contained in foods.

Minerals: It contains potassium, essential for the correct functioning of the heart, and magnesium, which helps the body to incorporate proteins.

A powerful antioxidant: It contains polyphenols, that act as antioxidants. Antioxidants combat the oxidation action of free radicals which are responsible for many illnesses and premature ageing.

Energizing Effect: Due to mateine, an active compound that belongs to the group of the Catequines, Yerba Mate is a natural source of energy that stimulates intellectual and physical effort.

Reduces Cholesterol: Saponins, which are in the Yerba Maté infusion, reduce the amount of Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood.

Soon to be Launched in India:

In India, Argentine Yerba Mate Tea will be launched soon in ‘Tea Bags’ with popular Indian blends such as Ginger, Cardamom, Aniseeds, Tulsi, Ginger, Honey, Lemongrass, Rose, Saffron catering to the Indian taste and provide the customers with the amazing health benefits of Yerba Mate.

Argentine Yerba Mate has the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate” all in one beverage.  Of the commonly used stimulants in the world: Argentine Yerba Mate triumphs as the most balanced, delivering both energy and nutrition. It can also be called the “Greener Green Tea”.

*Study by Institute of Food Technologists, USA

* Yerba Mate Tree also known as Ilex paraguariensis