What is good mate tea? The quality of organic mate.
There are countless types of mate in the form of loose mate, mate tea in bags and as a tea blend.
Simply good organic mate tea.
Versatile on every level. Mate tea is inherently very versatile and can be divided into different varieties depending on its cultivation, origin, and processing. Furthermore, it allows you to create a beverage tailored to your preferences with additional tea variations, for example, as chai with almond milk and spices, or sweetened with a little agave syrup and ice cubes. However varied the preparations of good mate tea may be, for the natural ingredients to enhance your well-being, the quality must be impeccable from the cultivation of the mate shrub to the processing of the tea leaves. In this article, we explain what actually constitutes good mate tea and how we, as a green start-up, ensure high quality.
Preferably not from a monoculture.
There are countless varieties of yerba mate: loose mate, mate tea in bags, and as tea blends. The leaves used for this grow on the yerba mate tree, the so-called Ilex paraguariensis. This evergreen tree is native to the Atlantic rainforest and has provided its inhabitants with its nutrient-rich leaves for centuries. However, yerba mate leaves used by the food industry today mostly come from monocultures. In these monocultures, one and the same plant species is cultivated on a single plot of land. Besides depleting the soil, monocultures also lead to changes in soil composition. Therefore, in yerba mate cultivation, only yerba mate trees are grown, which are additionally pruned to a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. Pruning the bushes facilitates harvesting, allowing 60 to 70 percent of the yerba mate leaves to be harvested from each tree.
Destroyed soils
Mate trees grown in monocultures are exposed to direct UV radiation all day long. To protect themselves, the leaves develop more acid and caffeine, which can lead to stomach problems and heartburn when the tea is later consumed. Furthermore, unless organically grown, the fields are treated with pesticides. These pesticides not only eliminate unwanted weeds and small animals but also allow toxins to leach into the groundwater of local drinking water sources. If residues remain on the leaves, they also end up in the mate tea we consumers consume. According to an Ökotest (German consumer magazine) from 2017, virtually all tested mate varieties were deemed unsaleable due to elevated levels of contaminants. Mate tea from monocultures is generally not sustainable , which also negatively impacts its quality .
The alternative: Organic mate tea from mixed forests.
For those who want to avoid toxins and fully enjoy the natural benefits of yerba mate leaves, organic yerba mate tea from ecological cultivation is the best choice. Here, the trees are pruned by hand before harvesting, thus avoiding contact with pesticides. Mixed cropping offers a more sustainable alternative to monoculture, which is unfortunately widespread in the food industry. This type of cultivation ensures the simultaneous use of different plant species. The soil retains its resources, and the plants benefit from a balanced supply of nutrients. By varying the number of different crops in one area, the Ilex paraguariensis (holly tree) can grow in the shade of other tree species. The acidity of the yerba mate leaves is correspondingly lower, and the infusions are less bitter. Minerals and vitamins are also naturally preserved. For an even better experience, buy yerba mate leaves from trees that are only harvested every two years. These leaves contain even more antioxidants than younger yerba mate leaves. Therefore, good yerba mate tea is grown in mixed crops and consists of organic yerba mate leaves.
Classic smoke drying
Natural cultivation and careful harvesting of the yerba mate leaves are crucial for high- quality yerba mate . However, the processing and storage of the harvested leaves also play a significant role. The processing of yerba mate typically begins with stopping the fermentation process. Within the first 24 hours after harvesting, the fresh leaves are exposed to at least 100°C hot air for about 30 seconds or directly over a flame. This combustion process, however, causes pollutants to adhere to the leaves. A further drying step follows, in which the leaves rotate in a metal drum through which hot smoke flows. Here, too, pollutants such as PAHs, anthraquinones, and heavy metals are released, which are suspected of being carcinogenic.
Modern air drying
As an alternative to the burning process, there are now methods in which the mate leaves are gently air-dried. Direct contact with smoke and flame is avoided, so no harmful substances get into the mate tea and it can be enjoyed without hesitation. All our varieties are air-dried.
Generally speaking, a sustainable and transparent philosophy is highly likely to result in high-quality products. Good yerba mate comes from mixed cultivation where the trees grow in the shade. Ideally, it consists of organic yerba mate and is harvested only every two years. Furthermore, healthy yerba mate is gently air-dried, and the fresher it is when consumed, the healthier it is. If you prefer aged yerba mate, make sure it has matured naturally; this makes it more flavorful and easier on the stomach.
The right mate strain for you.
All our varieties are of premium quality, air-dried and pesticide-free. Nevertheless, they differ from one another in taste and effect.
Erva Mate is a typical Brazilian variety of mate. It is not stored and is consumed immediately after harvesting; it tastes light, fresh, and green.
Yerba mate is a typical Argentinian variety; it is allowed to mature for at least 12 months after harvesting. Its taste is somewhat more bitter than erva and it is not as green. Both varieties consist of leaves, twigs, and powder.
Mate tea and roasted mate tea are pure leaf cuts, without stems or powder. They are somewhat stronger in taste and effect. The roasted mate is reminiscent of a blend of coffee and black tea and tastes excellent on its own or with a splash of oat milk. Green mate tea is perfect for brewing as a tea, either pure or with other herbs. Many people also use mate to infuse herbal or fruit teas.
If you're unsure which variety to choose, it's best to try a few and give your taste buds some time to get used to mate. Some people love mate immediately, others after the third or fourth time, and very few simply don't like it at all :-)
With that in mind, many good mate.