It's like a bitter, astringent tea. Some people add a bit of sugar or citrus rind on top. If you do want to try it I recommend finding someone else to share it with, and look up a good tutorial on how to prepare it. Water shouldn't be boiling, you need a mate straw, pick the right container, place the yerba the right way. Etc.

What really makes mate stand out is two things: it's a stimulant, like coffee (ymmv- I don't notice it waking me up but a lot of people do) but above all, it's a social drink. You are meant to share it around with people. Literally. I've had more than one English speaker express their surprise when they realize they are supposed to be drinking from the same cup and straw as everyone else around them, unlike tea or coffee with which you get your own cup.

You can also prepare it just like regular loose tea in a cup, removing the leaves once the infusion is made. This is called mate cocido and is heavenly with honey.

[–] culprit@lemmy.ml 5 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

It's supposedly chemically similar to matcha green tea because you ingest some quantity of the leaves much like matcha. The plant leaves contain different chemicals that regulate caffeine uptake in sort of similar but different ways.

https://www.dougcollinsonline.com/blog/matcha-green-tea-vs-yerba-mate-health-benefits-guide

Yerba mate typically contains 70–90 mg of caffeine per serving, depending on the product and how it’s brewed. In loose-leaf form or in products like Unimate, that amount can go even higher—especially if is highly concentrated extract. Yerba mate also contains theobromine, a compound found in dark chocolate that provides a smooth, mood-enhancing energy boost without the spikes and crashes associated with coffee.

Matcha green tea, by comparison, delivers around 30–70 mg of caffeine per serving, depending on how much powder you use. But what makes matcha unique is its high content of L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm, focused alertness. The result is a gentler energy curve that supports mental clarity and reduces stress, making it a favorite among those seeking a more mindful boost.

I've never had the traditional yerba mate, but I've used matcha powder and non-traditional yerba mate, and they are indeed smoother caffeine delivery than regular coffee of tea.

[–] TiredTiger@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 hours ago

TIL. Somehow, I never realized yerba mate has caffeine. I'll have to try some eventually.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 7 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Yea it's pretty good! Not everyone likes it, same as coffee and tea. It has its own herbal taste distinct from tea, but is closer to tea than coffee. I have it every once in a while, but have never had it the traditional way as shown in the image above, just the bottled stuff.

[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 7 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

TIL mate is sold bottled.... mixed feelings about this

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 7 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

Yea I'm aware that that's not a good version of it, haha.

[–] ZeroHora@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 hours ago (2 children)

Chimarrão is quite different than the mate tea and there's a version that you drink with cold water.

I dislike every version of it.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 4 points 5 hours ago

Hahaha, fair! I'll have to try it one day!

[–] orc_princess@lemmy.ml 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Even with cold juice? My spouse struggles to drink regular mate but they love tereré

[–] ZeroHora@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 hours ago

I tried to drink mate to cut down the coffee and it's taste like weak diluted coffee. Drinking with lemon or orange was okay but I prefer to just drink lemonade. But I don't like bitter stuff anyway, I drink coffee with sugar and milk.

[–] Mothra@mander.xyz 4 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

If you enjoy it then, go for it

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

I do, would just be nice to try the real deal someday!

[–] orc_princess@lemmy.ml 2 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

If you're ever in Argentina I can prepare some for you!

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 hours ago

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind!