Mate leaves (green, cut) - Mate tea

mate leaves (green, cut)

The mate leaves come from the mate plant. The mate plant is an evergreen plant native to South America. The mate leaves are dark green in color and oval to country-shaped. Traditionally, the mate plants are grown in many South American countries and used to make mate tea. The mate tea has a special characteristic taste that is described as invigorating and refreshing. Many people drink mate tea as a coffee substitute.
Mate tea made from mate leaves is an integral part of culture and social life in many South American countries, especially in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Mate tea ceremonies are held here. The tea ceremony is seen as a sign of hospitality and solidarity and thus has a special social component in the cultures. People come together to enjoy tea and exchange stories while sharing the convivial atmosphere. This tradition connects people. In Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay, people drink their mate tea from a calabash. The mate tea is not drunk in sips, but rather sucked through a straw called a bombilla. This way, the mate leaves stay in the drinking cup and the mate tea can be enjoyed. Here, preparing mate tea has almost become a ritual that people perform both at home and on the go.

Use of mate leaves:

In the traditional mate tea preparation, the drinking cup is filled halfway with the mate tea leaves, the cup is closed and then shaken carefully. The mate leaves are then moistened with 70-75 degree hot water and left to steep for about 20 seconds so that the leaves swell better. The straw (bombilla) is inserted into the vessel and the mate tea preparation is poured over with hot water. In many South American countries, thermos flasks for preparing mate tea on the go are available in public places.
Overall, mate leaves offer a unique culinary experience. Their characteristic taste and their diverse uses in drinks, baked goods and savory dishes open up new culinary horizons. They invite you to explore South American culture and discover new taste experiences. Whether as part of a tea ceremony or as an ingredient in the kitchen, mate leaves enrich the culinary world and offer a piece of South American tradition and enjoyment.

Ingredients: green mate leaves

Use:

Approx. 0.5 - 1.5% caffeine; Argentinian national drink; somewhat strong.

Storage:

This tea should be stored dry and ideally airtight to retain its intense aroma for a particularly long time.

Contents: 100g in a practical refill bag