Everyone seems to be guzzling tea these days. And why not? Evidence of the health benefits of this remarkable drink are continuing to be discovered. One particular type of tea you may have yet to try is the South American beverage known as Yerba mate. It has the health benefits of the more traditional green and white teas, but also has gives you the type of caffeine boost you might see with coffee without all of the jitters seen with traditional caffeine drinks such as coffee.
Fans of Yerba mate report they experience a more alert state after drinking this beverage without the negative effects such as heart palpitations and anxiety.It's also purported to be gentler on the stomach than coffee.
Many would say the taste for Yerba mate is acquired. It's somewhat grassy flavor is appreciated by many, but some prefer it to be combined with other flavors. In response to this demand, companies are coming out with a variety of flavors of this healthy drink including lemon, chai, mint, and many more unique flavor enhancements. Yerba mate is also found combined with other teas and drink ingredients including green tea and cocoa, making it a very versatile drink.
Yerba mate comes in a variety of forms including tea bags which you can brew at home, ready to drink bottles of the drink which may be found in your grocery store, and loose tea leaves. To add even more dimension to this drink, you can add flavorings such as extracts, coffee syrups, herbs, spices, and flavor powders.
Some of the most interesting flavor combinations are Yerba mate and vanilla and Yerba mate combined with such flavors as hazelnut, chai spices, mint, almond, and caramel. It can also be combined with fruit juice to make a tasty drink loaded with antioxidant power. When combined with cow's milk or soy milk, you have the capability of making Yerba mate lattes which are quite delicious and less likely to give you the jitters than your traditional espresso based latte.
You'll likely hear more about this healthy drink as it starts to gain in popularity in this country. Its strong antioxidant benefits along with its tendency to maintain alertness without jitteriness and anxiety will make it a welcome choice for those who suffer from the negative side effects of caffeinated coffee. Why not explore the health and taste benefits that this South American tea drink has to offer?
Yerba does none of this. Because of the high vitamin and mineral content, as well as the other ingredients, Yerba just makes me feel more alert and motivated. No heart palpitations or jitters. I can sleep after I drink it (though I wouldn't recommend drinking a cup before bed) and it just feels a lot better. Compare the difference between a few hours extra sleep and getting up early with coffee. Yerba almost seems to add those hours of sleep back, at least in the way you feel - it's not a 'stimulant', more of an alertness enhancer.