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More than thirty years ago I was introduced to a strange and curious drink by my
friend Nancy, who had grown up in Montevideo, Uruguay. The drink was called "maté," and
it was meant to be shared with friends. Dried leaves of the yerba maté plant
were steeped in a dried, hollowed-out gourd and sipped through a metal straw
(the bombilla) that filtered out the leaves and stems of the maté brew.
As we passed around the drink, among our group of North American friends, most
of us thought that it tasted like stewed hay or
even the ashes of a campfire and most us were able to tolerate only a few sips.
You can imagine my surprise, therefore, to learn that yerba maté has now become all
the rage in the USA and many other parts of the world. It is the new designer drink,
following in the footsteps of green tea and chai. Recently, the USA Today ran a story on the drink
Click noting the following health benefits:
- Yerba maté has more immune-system boosting antioxidants than wine, green tea,
or blueberries.
- It is also high in B-vitamins, which support cardiovascular health and other
vital systems.
- It contains mateine rather than caffeine, a gentle stimulant that can elevate
moods and relax muscles without jitteriness.
Anecdotal claims for yerba maté include allergy relief, mental clarity,
digestive comfort, weight loss, and energy boosting. Because of the chemical
differences between mateine and caffeine, it is not chemically habit forming or
addicting and most people can drink it in the evening without disrupting their
sleep patterns. I know that has been true for me. I now like to start the day
with a pot of green tea and end the day with a pot of yerba maté.
Maté (pronounced mah-tay) is made from the holly shrub of the South American
rain forest and it has long been a beverage of choice in not only Uruguay, but
also Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. As it becomes more popular around
the world, more scientific research will be conducted on the health benefits and
more ways of brewing the herb will make it increasingly tasteful.
My own favorite brew is Yerba Maté Chai, which mixes cardamon, cloves, and
cinnamon in with the maté. The maté chai mix does not even require a bombilla,
since the leaves and spices sink to the bottom of the cup when fully brewed.
Whatever your pleasure when it comes to taste, there's no reason to not make
yerba maté a regular part of your diet.
Coaching Inquiries: Other than fresh, clean water, what do you drink on a
regular basis? Do you know how much caffeine you are drinking? Would you like to
replace some of your caffeinated drinks with yerba maté? Who could you share a
cup of yerba maté with today?
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May you be filled with goodness, peace, and joy.
Bob Tschannen-Moran
LifeTrek Coaching International
121 Will Scarlet Lane
Williamsburg, VA 23185-5043
U.S.A.
Telephone: 757-345-3452
Fax: 772-382-3258
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