Yerba mate green – why is it worth trying?
Although they have been on the domestic market for a shorter time compared to classic varieties, green yerba mates are gaining increasing popularity. What earned them such wide recognition? Why should you try yerba mate green? What sets them apart from traditional products? Let’s delve into these topics in today’s blog post!
Summary:
- Brazil – the capital of yerba mate green
- What is yerba mate green? How is it different from classic yerba mate?
- Yerba mate green – properties. How does green yerba energise?
- How to brew green yerba mate?
- What is the best yerba mate green?
- Brazilian green yerba mate. You have to try it!
Brazil – the capital of yerba mate green
Paraguay is commonly referred to as the capital of yerba mate, but the green beverage of the Guarani Indians is also popular in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The infusion made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant particularly resonates with the culture of the latter country, where green is one of the two national colours alongside yellow. Green symbolises the equatorial Amazonian forests, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth”, which cover a significant part of Brazil. The colour green dominates the flag of this South American country and was also a symbol of the royal Bragança family and Emperor Pedro I, the first emperor of Brazil. Green is, at last, the symbolic colour of yerba mate culture – a beloved drink among the inhabitants of the southern part of the country. Interestingly, in many regions of the north, where coffee is predominantly grown, some people have never even heard of yerba mate. Brazil, right behind Argentina, is the second-largest producer of yerba mate. In 2019, Brazilian producers generated around 518,000 tonnes of yerba mate. While mate tea differs depending on the country where it is produced, even though it comes from the same plant – the yerba mate tree – it varies in texture, production method, taste, and strength. In Brazil, where yerba mate is called erva mate, four distinct types of “missionary tea” can be identified:
- chimarrão – the most characteristic type of Brazilian yerba mate. Its bright green leaves are ground so finely that they resemble flour.
- tereré – specifically developed to be brewed cold. Beverages made with it are refreshing and cooling during hot weather.
- “Uruguayan” yerba mate – although Uruguayans love mate tea, very little is actually produced there. Instead, it is imported from Brazil but differs significantly from typical Brazilian erva mate. It is often smoke-dried, which gives it a distinctive flavour and aroma.
- green yerba mate – coarsely cut leaves with a fresh, green hue, containing little to no twigs and no dust. It is hot air-dried without the aging process.
What is yerba mate green? How is it different from classic yerba mate?
Brazilian yerba mate differs significantly from its counterparts offered by Spanish-speaking neighbours. Although the most popular variety among Brazilians is erva mate chimarrão, which consists of a very fine, fresh grind comparable to flour and is undoubtedly delicious, its preparation can be challenging. Firstly, a special straw known as a “bomba” with a highly precise, round filter is required to keep out the fine powder from the erva mate chimarrão. Brazilians typically use a special thick-walled, wide-mouthed vessel called a “cuia” for drinking chimarrão. Secondly, the preparation process involves several steps that might seem complicated to beginners. Fortunately, there is an alternative combining the Brazilian yerba mate tradition with those of Argentina and Paraguay nicely: yerba mate green. So what is it, and what does it taste like? Its vibrant green colour comes from a different processing technique. Unlike traditional yerba mate that is smoke-dried, mate green is dried using hot air. Furthermore, the leaves are not aged after drying. As a result, yerba mate has a beautiful, lively colour and a herbal flavour with significantly less bitterness. This makes it ideal for those just beginning their experience with yerba mate. Newcomers can slowly ease into the culture of drinking and brewing yerba mate without immediately being put off by its characteristic bitterness. The leaves of green yerba mate are coarsely cut and usually consist solely of leaves – with minimal twigs and dust. If there are any twigs or dust, their quantities are negligible. Green yerba mate works well with almost any straw or bombilla.
Yerba mate green - properties. How does green yerba energise?
In terms of properties, green yerba mate does not differ at all from its classic counterpart. It comes from the same plant and, just like regular yerba mate, it contains a complete set of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and caffeine for stimulation. Many yerba mate enthusiasts worry that green mate tea might not energise them as much as the bitter, smoke-dried mate. But nothing could be further from the truth! This misconception, often discussed among fans in online groups, has no basis in reality. The drying method significantly influences flavour but has no impact on caffeine content. Caffeine levels depend primarily on geographic and climatic conditions at the plantation, the timing of the harvest, and the aging process. The energy that yerba mate provides stems from the leaves of the yerba mate plant, as twigs – commonly found in traditional yerba mates – are generally considered “fillers” that don’t contribute to the stimulating effect. Interestingly, green yerba mates often surpass traditional ones in terms of energising effects! One of the most respected green yerba mates, Verde Mate Green, contains approximately 1 gram of caffeine per 100 grams of dried leaves. That’s about the same as the classic Argentinian Rosamonte and almost twice as much as the famed Paraguayan Pajarito! So there's no need to worry about its energising effectiveness.
How to brew green yerba mate?
Since it differs from classic yerba mate in terms of production, aroma, and taste, the question arises: how should green yerba mate be brewed? The simplest answer: just like regular yerba mate! To drink any type of yerba mate–green, smoke-dried, or prepared cold–a suitable vessel is needed. While a regular mug could be used, true yerba mate enthusiasts may prefer a traditional, profiled mate cup, or even better, a vessel made from natural materials such as gourd or palo santo wood. A bombilla, a metal straw with a filter at the end, is also essential to separate the infusion from the leaves. The advantage of green yerba mate is that its coarsely cut leaves make it compatible with almost any kind of bombilla. Add the mate tea leaves to the mate cup until it's about two-thirds full; for beginners, no more than 15 grams is recommended. At this point, classical yerba mate requires some shaking to remove fine dust. With green yerba mate, this step can be skipped since it usually contains little to no dust. Tilt the mate cup slightly so that the leaves settle along one side. Like regular yerba mate, green yerba mate should be brewed with water at a maximum temperature of 80°C. Green yerba mate is also excellent brewed cold as tereré. It can be prepared with ice-cold water, chilled juice, fresh fruit pieces, and herbs. The mild taste of green yerba mate blends nicely with other ingredients. When pouring water, aim for the bottom of the vessel rather than the leaves so that some of them remain dry. Allow a few minutes for the infusion to develop its full potency and intensity. And then, it's ready to enjoy!
What is the best yerba mate green?
The domestic market offers several brands of yerba mate green. The most popular green mate is undoubtedly Verde Mate Green. Due to its mild flavour and aroma, green yerba mate pairs wonderfully with various additives like fruits, herbs, natural aromas, and essential oils. Verde Mate offers over 40 different flavour variations developed with natural ingredients. Fans of strong stimulation will appreciate Verde Mate Energia with guarana fruit. Beginners may enjoy the fruity Frutos Tropicales or Frutos del Bosque. Those who prefer herbal undertones will delight in Verde Mate variations with katuava bark. Additionally, there are functional blends like Verde Mate Silueta for weight loss support and Detox for cleansing the body. Each blend is based on top-quality leaves from a small family-run plantation in southern Brazil. Twigs, which offer no nutritional or taste value, make up only 2% at most. For those starting their yerba mate journey, we recommend purchasing a Verde Mate Green set of samples to explore different flavours and find your favourite.
Brazilian green yerba mate. You have to try it!
As you can see, green yerba mates not only provide great stimulation but also taste amazing! If we've piqued your interest in yerba mate green, be sure to browse through the dedicated category in our shop. Recommended products are also included below the article.
Sources of information:
- Wikipedia: Maté.
- Statistical data: oec.world, statista.com.
