Green Yerba Mate

Mate (pronounced mah-tay) is made by brewing the dry leaves of the Yerba Mate tree, a small evergreen that is a member of the Holly family. The tree is native to the subtropical highlands of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina, and it is in those countries that the majority of Yerba Mate is consumed. It has a vegetative character similar to green tea. Contrary to some popular reports, mate does contain caffeine, although many people report that they tolerate mate better than other caffeine-containing beverages. Use approximately 1-2 tablespoons per 3-cup pot and brew in steaming (not boiling) water for about 3 minutes.