Remember the hippies of the 1960′s? They had a reputation for bending the rules and avoiding responsibility. They were not very welcome in polite society either. Today, a different breed of hippie-looking folks still come to the beach in buses like this one. In 2008 however, thanks to the “legal leaf” from South America called yerba mate, they are very much welcomed as a part of a new health-conscious culture.Â
Every Monday, our local, daily newspaper runs a syndicated column called The People’s Pharmacy. I have enjoyed this feature for years because, in addition to topical discussions on prescription drugs, drug policy and timely warnings of problems, it also features many home remedies, folk and herbal medicines and a question and answer section. I have waited for years for a question or a discussion about yerba mate. It finally happened. Boy, was I disappointed!
We are continuing our discussion of how to compare brands of yerba mate. Last time we considered the composition of the yerba and the color of the brewed mate. This time we will focus on the attributes of the resulting yerba mate infusion.
Prior to 1982, the only yerba mate coming into the United States was for the personal use of South Americans who either brought it with them, had friends or family members send it to them or made elaborate arrangements to buy it from a South American company.
It was a simple case of serendipity that prompted James A. May to create the first U.S. brand of yerba mate — Wisdom of the Ancients. Jim May is the president and CEO of Wisdom Natural Brands. I recently had the opportunity to visit with Jim at his office in Arizona and hear his story first hand.
One of my readers recently asked how to choose a brand of yerba mate. Good question! For many producers and consumers alike, yerba mate is a fungible good; that is, they regard it as a commodity — one brand is the same as any other brand — but to the connoisseur, this line of thinking is sacrilege!
If you want the assurance that you are receiving all of the flavor and purported health benefits that yerba mate has to offer, you should have some tools to compare and evaluate brands. Here are a few guidelines to help you make your own informed decisions. You will still have to experiment with several brands to be able to recognize the differences, but now you will have a basis for your choice.Â
Happy New Year! — Now, it’s back to reality.
After their holiday indulgences, many folks are especially conscious of their weight. Therefore, this seems like a good time to respond to one of the most-asked questions about yerba mate: “How does yerba mate aid in weight loss?”
I am a little uncomfortable about writing on this subject, but over a period of several years, I have lost more than 30 pounds. I credit the last, and most difficult, ten pounds to yerba mate. This article will share what I have learned in the process. I hope it will provide you with some insight if you choose to use yerba mate in your own diet program.Â
Please indulge me while I take a break from my quest to write the most credible, relevant yerba mate blog on the planet. I crafted this posting in the spirit of the holidays. Now, enjoy . . .
In the last few years yerba mate has been written up in dozens of magazines and newspapers. It’s what is known as buzz and yerba mate really has buzz these days.
The trendy infusion from South America appeals to different people for different reasons. It could be for good health, more energy, weight loss, mood enhancement, better concentration or just to be in vogue. Whatever the reason, one thing is for certain – people are talking about it.
Hot, spiced apple cider has long been a holiday favorite around our house. This year as we decorated our Christmas tree, I thought it might be fun to make it with yerba mate. I was delighted with the results and I suggest you bring yerba mate into your holiday season. Here are simple ways to make - spicy yerba mate cider!
I was in Sao Paulo, Brazil last week and wanted a yerba mate. The concierge at the Renaissance Hotel directed me to the closest mate bar, about two blocks away. It’s a small shop located in a prime location on the city’s main thoroughfare - Avenida Paulista. The shop is called Rei do Mate which means “King of Mate” in Portuguese, the language of Brazil; and in Portuguese the name yerba mate morphs into erva mate.
Jim Worsham - is the author, editor, publisher, and owner of this blog. He resides in Long Beach, CA.
