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ISSN: 2348-4330
Journal of Postharvest Technology
2022, 10(2): 60-65
www.jpht.in
R E V I E W A R T I C L E
Yerba Mate – a study on the tea from Latin
America
Shashi Kant1*, Hitendra Singh Chauhan2, Deepika Sajwan1
1 School of Hospitality Management, IMS Unison University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
2 Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Received: 07.03.2022 Accepted: 22.04.2022
A B S T R A C T
The purpose of this study is to create awareness among Hospitality Professionals, Tea connoisseurs, students, and researchers of India and
neighboring countries about this Tea. Yerba Mate tea, an infusion prepared from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree. It is a popular non-
alcoholic beverage in South America that is quickly gaining traction in the international market, either as tea or as a component of prepared
foods or nutritional supplements. For ages, the indigenous people have consumed it as a social and therapeutic beverage. Yerba Mate tea is
Argentina's national drink, but it's also well-known for its energizing, rejuvenating, and weight-loss effects. South American footballers, who
appear to carry their mate gourds with them wherever they go, have popularized the drink in Europe. This review focuses on the history,
production, and health benefits of Yerba.
Keywords: Tea, Yerba Mate, herbal tea, antioxidant, beverage
Citation: Kant, S., Chauhan, H.S., and Sajwan, D. 2022. Yerba Mate – a study on the tea from Latin America. Journal of Postharvest
Technology, 10(2): 60-65.
INTRODUCTION
The term Yerba Mate is derived from the Spanish word "hierba," which means "herb," and the indigenous Quechuan word
"mati," which means "drinking container" (https://www.medicinenet.com/yerba_mate/definition.htm). Yerba mate has been
consumed throughout South America for centuries, long before the arrival of the Spanish. The Guaran people, who resided in
what is now Paraguay, north of Argentina, south of Brazil, and parts of Uruguay and Bolivia, were the first to drink it. It was first
ingested by chewing I. paraguariensis green leaves (Filip et al., 2007). Since the introduction of the Jesuits in the area in the
17th century, consumption has been outlawed and then promoted as it was good for their health. It was primarily consumed in
rural regions before becoming more popular in cities in the late 1800s and throughout the twentieth century. Mate consumption
has risen as a result of the migration of South Americans to North America and Europe (Heck and De Mejia, 2007).
Ilex paraguariensis, a perennial tree native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, This plant has over 480 different
varieties, but only about 2-3 are used to make Yerba Mate. The stimulating beverage is made from the dried leaves and
Rizvi et al. (Yerba Mate – a tea from Latin America)
J. Postharvest Technol., 2022, 10(2): 60-65 61
stems. The dried leaves are infused with hot water and brewed ( Burris et al., 2012; Poswal et al., 2019). This style of drinking
mate is called as chimarrão. In other variation, it is brewed with cold water called as tereré.
Mate is commonly consumed out of a dried gourd with a metal straw known as a "bombilla" in Latin America (Heck and De
Mejia, 2007). The term "terere" refers to infusions made using cold water (Yi et al., 2017). It's prepared from a dried leaf
infusion of Ilex paraguariensis, a member of the Aquifoliaceae family. Guarani indigenous people have been drinking yerba
mate as a beverage from the time of the Spaniards' invasion of South America (Dellacassa and Bandoni, 2001).
The Jesuits saw the plant's commercial potential and brought wild-growing yerba mate into cultivation. a Jesuit monk,
reported the use of the most significant plant to the Guarani people (Morley, 1939).
GROWING AND HARVESTING
Yerba mate can be grown and prepared in a number of different ways. Yerba mate is often grown in one of two environments:
plantations or wild forests. To achieve standard quality plantation method is practiced (Heck and De Mejia, 2007). Harvesting,
roasting, drying, milling, maturing, and blending/packing are the different steps used in yerba mate processing (Yi et al., 2017).
Growing- Under the shade of sunlight strongest chosen seeds are grown in Nursery. The saplings are moved to the field when
they are between nine and twelve months old. Prior to seedling transplantation, the fields are ploughed extensively and deeply
to create light, "airy" soil with good drainage.
The plants are ready for their first harvest around the age of four. It is carried out between April to September. The Yerba Mate
plant's leaves, stems, and topmost branches are gathered.
1) Sapecado/Drying- The gathered brushes are then dried off in the next step. It develops enzymes that allow the plant to
oxidize after harvesting, slowing the rate of deterioration.To reduce the water content of the leaves by nearly 20% of
their original weight, dry the plant.The water content of the leaves is reduced by nearly 20% of their original weight.
2) Secado (Drying)- In this process moderate heat is given to leaves for 20 hours.
3) Chanchada- The leaves are fully dried and called as Chanchada , ready for further storage.
4) Beneficio (Storage)- Yerba Mate Chanchada can be stored for up to two years and is subjected to quality checks on a
regular basis.
5) Milling- Large fragments of leaves are broken into small fragments. Blending of stems and leaves are regulated strictly
according to national standard level.
• PN1 = 70% leaves / 30% stem.
• PN2 = 60% leaves / 40% stem.
• PN3 = 50% leaves / 50% stem.
6) Padrão Naciona (PN)
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J. Postharvest Technol., 2022, 10(2): 60-65 62
The finished product is subsequently packaged and labelled with legitimate certification labels in branded packaging. It's now
ready to be shipped (Croge et al., 2020).
HEALTH PROMOTING PROPERTIES
Yerba mate extracts have a higher level of polyphenolics than green tea and other related plants to the concentrations found in
red wine (Gugliucci et al., 2009; Lunceford and Gugliucci, 2005) Caffeic acid, caffeine, caffeoyl derivatives, caffeoylshikimic
acid, chlorogenic acid, feruloylquinic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, quinic acid, rutin, and theobromine are among the
polyphenols found in yerba mate.zinc), as well as vitamins like A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin, and B5 ( Burris et al., 2012).
The amount of study done on the isolation and identification of antibacterial components generated from yerba mate is less in
number (Kellie Parks Burris, 2011; Kubo et al., 2002). The antioxidant, antiobesity, and anti-inflammation activities of yerba
mate extracts and components have previously been reviewed.(Bastos et al., 2007; Heck and De Mejia, 2007)
Anti-diabetic - Advanced glycation end products have been found to be controlled by yerba mate (Lunceford and Gugliucci,
2005; Poswal et al., 2019).
Increases Digestion- A team of researchers from Argentina discovered that yerba maté can stimulate bile flow and improve
intestinal transit (Gorzalczany et al., 2001; Poswal et al., 2019).
Stimulant and Anti Fatigue- Yerba maté stimulates the central nervous system. The ability to maintain aerobic glucose
breakdown during exercise for lengthy periods of time appears to be one of maté's metabolic benefits. As a result, more
calories are expended, improving cardiac efficiency and delaying lactic acid build-up (Bastos et al., 2007).
Effective in Weight Control- In 2001, a research team in Denmark investigated the effects of a herbal preparation of yerba
maté, guaraná, and damiana (YGD) on stomach emptying and weight loss.
They found that taking YGD capsules for 45 days significantly delayed gastric emptying, reduced the time to perceived gastric
fullness, and resulted in considerable weight loss in overweight patients treated in primary care (Poswal et al., 2019).
Hypocholesterolemic effect – Proper intake of Yerba Mate leaves infusion helps in controlling the plasma levels of cholesterol
and triglycerides (Stein et al., 2005).
PREPARATION OF YERBA MATE
Ingredients
• Organic Yerba Mate leaves – 100gms.
• Water-300ml.
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J. Postharvest Technol., 2022, 10(2): 60-65 63
Methods-
• Fill your mate cup with yerba mate tea (until it's 34% full).
• Place a little of the yerba mate in a bowl of warm water.
• The yerba is starting to get moist, and the infusion is begun. Wait 30 seconds before continuing.
• In a damp yerba mate tea, place the mate straw.
• Softly pour in hot water. If you wish to sweeten the mate, add sugar to taste and drink yerba mate.
(https://yerbamate.com/pages/how-to-make-yerba-mate-tea)
Anyone who has tried yerba will agree that the first time its bitter, herbal flavor and hazy appearance can put you off for a long
time. After a few more cups, the taste becomes more pleasurable, the tongue detects new flavors, and the brain craves
another sip. So, even if you don't like it right away, you'll grow to like it.
The yerba mate tree belongs to holly family that produces little fruit that converts into green- white blossoms and has
evergreen leaves. Hand-picked leaves and fragile stems are frequently dried under a protective temperature. They may be
roasted over a wood fire before being sliced into the final dried form.
It may have combination properties of Herbal Teas, Coffee and Chocolates providing energy, healing and soothing benefits. In
recent years the popularity of Yerba Mate has inclined in India but still beverage demand is fluctuating (Table 1).
Table 1: Yerba Mata import by India
Item
Year Code
Year
Unit
Value
Mate
2010
2010
Tones
0
Mate
2011
2011
Tones
0
Mate
2012
2012
Tones
0
Mate
2013
2013
Tones
0
Mate
2016
2016
Tones
1
Mate
2017
2017
Tones
3
Mate
2018
2018
Tones
1
Mate
2019
2019
Tones
0
(Source- http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/?#data/TP)
CONCLUSION
The balance between work and life has become a great challenge worldwide. This herbal tea may be considered as mighty tea
of South America. Yerba Mate is rich in antioxidants which may be good for diabetes, overweight, and fatigue. India may be a
good market for this product. Once brewed mate leaves are reused again and again in common households. The reuse
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J. Postharvest Technol., 2022, 10(2): 60-65 64
practice needs to be studied well. Yerba Mate has shown multiple health benefits in laboratory trials. Given the paucity of
human clinical evidence, future studies will be required to determine the true extent.
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www.pexels.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate
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