Hey, it’s Benji 👋 

I’ve seen it everywhere!

At café counters, in restaurants, on buses, planes, and even in taxis. But mostly, in the hands of nearly every Argentinian - from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia.

A small, round cup with a metal straw sticking out… but what’s inside? 👀

Today’s menu is all about Yerba Mate.

Enjoy!

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Starter 🥗 

More Than A Drink

Some drinks wake you up. Others bring people together.

Yerba mate does both - while making you feel like an honorary South American or an awkward gringo trying too hard…

For centuries this earthy, slightly bitter drink has been fueling conversations, friendships, and late-night study sessions. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Some claim it gives you the focus of a monk and the stamina of a marathon runner.

Others take one sip and wonder why anyone would drink liquid hay. 🤢 

So what’s the deal?

Is it the ultimate fuel that powered Argentina to a 2022 World Cup victory or just another overhyped tea?

Let‘s take a sip and find out! 🧉 

Main 🥙 

A South American Steroid?

Yerba mate is an herbal tea prepared from the stems and leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree. 🌳

This holy tree is revered by native people and grows primarily in northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and southern Brazil. 🌎️

Unlike coffee, which can hit you like a freight train and leave you crashing later, yerba mate delivers a steady, crash-free energy boost. 🚀

It contains caffeine, theobromine (a mood-enhancing compound found in chocolate 🍫), and theophylline, which helps relax airways and improve cognitive function.

Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which aid digestion and metabolism, locals have been using it as alternative medicine for centuries.

But that’s not it!

Consuming yerba mate has also been shown to

• prevent osteoporosis 🦴 

• improve physical performance (greater lung capacity and power output) 🫁 

• reduce inflammation 🧯 

• promote cardiovascular health ❤️ 

• protect against infections 🦠 

• help lose weight ⚖️ 

Unfortunately, drinking large amounts (over 1 liter daily) of yerba mate over time has been linked to an increased risk of many cancers. ⚠️

The main culprits?

Sipping it at high temperatures (over 85°C), ingesting smoke-dried leaves, and steeping it for too long!

🧑‍🍳 The chef’s tip: 

Drinking non-smoked yerba mate at a cooler temperature (50-70°C) can help reduce the danger of carcinogens while increasing the polyphenol content. 💚 

Dessert 🍰 

How To Prepare Yerba Mate

Yerba mate isn’t just a drink - it’s a ritual. Preparing it the right way not only makes it healthier - it also enhances the entire experience. ✨ 

And if you want to avoid looking like a total gringo, here’s how to do it right. ✅ 

What you need:

• Yerba (organic, con palo, checked)

• A vessel (mate cup, gourd, or whatever you have)

• A bombilla (metal straw with a filter) - very important

• Cold water & warm water (70-85°C, never boiling!)

The Steps:

1. Fill your vessel halfway to ¾ with yerba mate.

2. Shake it with your hand on it to gently remove excess powder and tilt it to one side to create a “mountain.” ⛰️ 

3. Pour a little cold water (20-30 ml) into the lower side to hydrate the leaves.

4. Let it rest for 1-3 minutes so the yerba absorbs the water. 🧽 

5. Insert your bombilla at the lowest point and push the yerba to the “mountain” side to create a water hole - don’t move it after. 🛑 

6. Pour warm water into the lowest point, around the bombilla.

7. ️Sip and enjoy, refilling with warm water as you go. 🧉 

🚨 Golden rule: NEVER move or stir the bombilla!

Bonus tip: Boost the flavor by adding mint, chamomile, dried fruits, or citrus zest to your yerba. 🌿

P.S. Shoutout to my host, Pili, from Ushuaia, for teaching me how to prepare the yerba mate the proper Argentinian way! 🙏