Mate

Mate, also known as yerba mate, is a South American traditional infused drink. This herbal tea is rich in caffeine, for this reason it results a good choice in case of tiredness or if you need high concentration. In addition to this, mate has also antioxidant properties, it has a diuretic effect by helping the kidneys to work, it is a remedy in case of water retention, cellulite and to prevent stone formation, it improves blood circulation and stimulates the metabolism. But mate has also a weight-loss action, and, according to a study published in 2009 on the scientific Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, mate is also supposed to be able to lower bad cholesterol. Drinking mate after lunch can help digestion because it acts as a stimulant. Because of the high caffeine content it is better to avoid mate in the evening, the best could be to drink mate in the morning or in the early afternoon. For what concerns preparation it is the same as green tea: heat one liter of water until 70°C, remove it from heat and leave to brew 2 tablespoons of dried leaves of mate for 10 minutes, strain and drink up to three cups a day. There is also another way to take mate according to an ancient ritual: in this case you should have a particular kind of bowl called mate or matero and a special straw, bombilla, with a filter at one end. Fill the bowl three quarters with mate, then pour the water and drink with the straw.