Many friends have asked me, many times, how to prepare Yerba Mate Tea.
Yerba mate is high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It detoxifies the blood and many say it can prevent many types of cancers. Yerba mate does contain caffeine but unlike other caffeinated drinks, it doesn’t leave me with jitters or headaches.
One of the main reasons I drink mate is to aid in digestion. Like coffee, it’s awesome in the morning to help you wake up and give you energy for the day ahead. I love it after meals, especially at night, since it’s also believed to help reduce insomnia.
There are a few ways you can drink mate. Below is a simple guide to preparing it the way my family does.
Credit: GUAYAKI
We like to infuse Yerba with fruits and herbs.
- Orange, lemon, mandarin and grapefruit peels are my favorite. It’s very simple; peel the fruits and make sure not to get too much of the white part (pith) of the skin. Leave them out to dry for about 3 days. Once dry, you can store them in an airtight container and mix them with the Yerba when you’re ready to prepare your mate.
- Fresh mint leaves mixed with lemon peels give the mate a very soft and fresh taste. It’s especially satisfying during cold seasons!
- Lemon verbena is really great and unlike lemon peels, which sometimes can give a bitter taste, it gives the mate a sweet flavor with a citrusy kick.
If you’ve prepared mate before and have more recipes please share! If you try it for the first time, let me know what you think! You can always message me for more personal help with any of my recipes 
Xoxo
Mari Pelli
**Here are links to places in Southern California where you can find Mates, Yerba and other Argentine and South American products. Sprouts Farmers Market carries Guayaki brand products which I have been using lately since there is one around the corner from my house. Their stuff is a bit pricier than most brands though.
- Gaucho Meat Market in Redondo Beach
- El Gaucho Meat Market in Anaheim
- Luis Market in Bellflower
- El Sangucheto Bakery in Paramount
- Los Cepillos Meat Market in Downey
- Pasta Connection in Costa Mesa
- Regina’s Restaurant in Garden Grove
- El Argentino Market in Lynwood
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