Any yerba mate drinkers out there?

Just wondering....

Yerba mate is a bitter infusion that is traditionally consumed in Argentina and is incredibly rich in antioxidants and vitamins. I was first introduced to the beverage by an Argentinian co-worker who prepared his mate daily in a gourd and a metal filtered straw called a bombilla.

Tasty stuff, but it's an acquired taste.

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Definitely. I just got back from 3 weeks in Argentina, and it seemed like everyone there had a mate and a thermos of water with them at all times. The first few mates taste a lot like hot dirty water, but it grows on you. Add lots of sugar for your first try. Mateine produces a nice "buzz" without the jittery effects like caffeine.

When you first try it, you learn why "yerba mate" means "weed killer". But it does grow on you.

I have some at home. It's not bad. Not my favorite, but every once-in-a-while I like a nice cup or two. I haven't tried the roasted kind yet, only the 'green' one.

Yeah, I've only tried the unsmoked mate myself- and it's a part of my daily routine to enjoy the gourd.

I think that I tried a beer in Louisville with that in it. It was at cumberland brews. A pale ale with yerba somehow brewed in.

My sister was in Argentina last month and brought me some yerba mate. I'll have to try it soon.

I dunno about that stuff not having the "buzz" effect. I had a cup of that a few years ago, and made the mistake of using two of the tea bags instead of one. I now know what Tony Montana felt like after that big mountain of cocaine in the closing scene of the movie...

Anthony_Lopez said:

I dunno about that stuff not having the "buzz" effect. I had a cup of that a few years ago, and made the mistake of using two of the tea bags instead of one. I now know what Tony Montana felt like after that big mountain of cocaine in the closing scene of the movie...

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It definitely does produce a buzz, but I don't get jittery on mate like I do after a few coffees. Also, if you used teabags, it really wasn't a true mate. Traditionally, you add small amounts of hot water directly into the yerba mate, and filter it through the bombilla (straw). The teabag version is a lot less potent than the real deal. Sort of like the difference between a Bud Light and a homebrewed barleywine.

Got tired of all the 'pipe' jokes when sipping on my gourd at work. Now I have some on weekends and still get funny looks from SWMBO.

The sharing part is hard for me. I don't like sucking on the bombilla after other people have slobered on it.

TeufelBrew said:

Got tired of all the 'pipe' jokes when sipping on my gourd at work.

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When I was working in an office, I used to get more comments about the mason jar of green herb than the gourd itself. My office was so full of eclectic stuff (primitive art/instruments, etc) that they just expected the unusual from me. I work remotely now, so I can't share my eccentricities in the same way any longer.

My buddy lived in argentina last year and he loves the stuff, even brought me back a pipe and the gourd but I havent tried it yet

It's like the Apfelwein. Give it three tries before you decide wether or not you like it.

OK you got my interest peaked. Where would I find the stuff to make this magic concoction?

sause said:

OK you got my interest peaked. Where would I find the stuff to make this magic concoction?

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Hey Sause,

Check out EcoTeas, MateWorld and Guayaki. I've ordered from each of these places.

www.uptontea.com has it as well.

Yerba is great stuff, works wonders the morning after.

Had it in Canada. Good stuff.