06/08/2021

Yerba mate, the gift of the stars!

"Explore the art of tasting mate or yerba mate in South America, where this iconic drink is enjoyed in a calabash with a bombilla. Yet even in this region rich in tradition, the methods of preparing mate vary, offering a unique experience with every tasting."

Maté: a plant with exceptional health benefits

Mate is often considered one of the healthiest plants on the planet, and rightly so. Its many therapeutic properties include stimulating the nerves, muscles and metabolism. But that's not all: mate is especially appreciated for its revitalising and energising effect, bringing a sense of happiness and alertness. This effect is attributed to matein, which acts in a similar way to caffeine, but with a decisive advantage: mate tends to reduce the feelings of nervousness often associated with coffee consumption. What's more, unlike caffeine, mateine does not cause a peak followed by a sudden drop in energy. In fact, thanks to the presence of theobromine, mate offers a longer-lasting energy boost, enabling you to maintain a sustained level of activity over a longer period.

Maté contains vitamins A, B1, B2, E and C, which are so important for humans. It also contains the trace elements magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium and potassium. Other ingredients stimulate the formation of saliva and gastric juice and aid digestion.
In addition, cathepsins, flavonoids and carotenoids, which are thought to have antioxidant properties, act as free-radical scavengers in the body and provide cellular protection. As a result, mate naturally inhibits inflammation in the body and can act preventively against illnesses such as arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, etc.

Mate: a stimulating and soothing experience! What makes mate truly special is its unique combination of mateine with a special xanthine. While matein stimulates the central nervous system in a similar way to the caffeine found in coffee, it also has a relaxing effect, unlike caffeine. This unique characteristic allows mate to provide an energy boost without creating dependency. What's more, matein promotes restful sleep and helps to lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. In short, mate offers an energising and soothing experience, making it ideal for those looking for a more balanced alternative to traditional stimulants.

"Maté - The Celestial Elixir

A long time ago, in a time when the world was already what it is today, when the sun reigned supreme and the moon shone with its own light. So begins the legend of the Guarani, the indigenous people of South America, the mystical story of yerba mate.

According to tradition, the moon only knew about the earth from the stories told by the sun. One day, she became curious and decided to visit the earth to discover people and animals. To avoid being recognised, she descended to earth at night, hidden, and landed in a clearing. A hungry jaguar spotted her immediately and tried to attack her. Suddenly, an arrow shot out of the jungle and saved the moon. As a sign of gratitude, the moon offered to grant a wish to the shooter, a simple farmer. He humbly declared that he wanted nothing. To prove his sincerity in the manner of his people, he swore that he had no wishes.

So the moon gave her the secret of the stars: mate. She also promised that anyone who shared mate would be blessed with sincere friendship. Since then, South Americans have been offering mate to their guests, transforming a welcome into an unfailing friendship.

Mate, the healthy, stimulating drink, is now coming to Europe.

"From South America to Europe: The Fascinating Epic of Yerba Maté

The first Europeans to taste mate were the Spanish conquistadors, when they arrived in South America. It was the Guarani Indians who introduced them to this stimulating drink, which the Spanish Jesuits quickly adopted.

The Jesuits, churchmen but also skilful merchants, quickly established a commercial monopoly on mate. However, their practices were frowned upon by church leaders, who were scandalised by this pagan custom. In 1610, the Court of the Inquisition in Lima even denounced mate drinking as a "diabolical superstition". The conversion of Indians to the Christian religion was then considered a priority, relegating the tradition of mate to the background in Europe.

It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that mate began to find fans in Europe. The first maté lemonades appeared, often surprisingly combined with sparkling wine, in an innovative marketing attempt.

Boost your weight loss with mate!

Yerba maté is an invaluable ally for those looking to lose weight. By stimulating the metabolism, it naturally encourages the body to burn fat. In this article, discover special recommendations for using yerba mate in your weight loss programme (see chapter below: Maté for weight loss).

With over 250 constituents, around 200 of which are clearly identified, mate is packed with essential nutrients. These include carotenoids with provitamin A activity, which the human body can easily convert into vitamin A.

"Carotenoids: Powerful antioxidants for radiant skin

Carotenoids are often considered essential for good health. Most of them act as antioxidants and neutralise free radicals (see above). What's more, they are renowned for their ability to nourish the skin, giving it a youthful, radiant appearance.

Carotenoids help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and maintain a radiant complexion. Their nourishing action helps to preserve the skin's health, leaving it looking healthy and radiant".

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