Best South American Tea / Infusion Types
Mate is a herbal infusion prepared with dried and ground leaves of the yerba mate plant. The drink originated among the native Guarani people who are believed to have been the first to harvest the plant and make mate. The leaves are traditionally steeped and served in a hollowed gourd, together with a bombilla—a specialized metal straw that also functions as a sieve.
The drink is an integral part of the South American culture, and it has always been prepared and enjoyed at various gatherings, while both the gourd and the bombilla are typically shared among the entire group. The infusion is rich in caffein, and it is charaterized by a slightly bitter herbal flavor.
Similar to mate, tereré is a tea drink that originated in Paraguay and was invented by the Guarani people. Besides Paraguay, the beverage is also popular in Argentina and Brazil. It is an infusion of yerba mate that is prepared with cold water, ice cubes, and herbs such as mint, lemongrass, or lemon verbena.
This non-alcoholic drink is very refreshing and low in calories, and if it is made with the addition of fruit juice (orange, lime, or pineapple), the beverage is then known as tereré ruso. For centuries, it was considered a social beverage and is traditionally prepared in a large vessel that is shared between people, signifying trust and communion.
Horchata lojana is a local drink from Ecuador. Although it is called horchata, it does not share many similarities with other rice or seed-based creamy Latin American drinks. Lojana is better classified as a herbal infusion or herbal tea made with a variety of locally-sourced herbs.
Numerous herbs can be used for this horchata—research mentions over 70 different species—but some common options include basil, chamomile, and lemon verbena. Several plants are always used to provide a distinctive red hue. Typically, twenty to thirty herbs will be used in the preparation.
Mate de coca is a herbal infusion that is made by steeping coca leaves or teabags consisting of coca leaves in hot water. This ancient drink has been traditionally enjoyed to treat altitude sickness, and due to the small amounts of alkaloids, it is also regarded as a slightly energizing drink.
Although they share a similar name, mate de coca and mate—a herbal infusion often associated with Argentina—should not be mixed up. Coca tea is widely available and legal throughout South America, but outside the region, many countries ban the import and consummation due to the link between coca leaves and cocaine.
Mate con leche is an infusion prepared with the leaves of the yerba mate plant and milk. Traditionally, mate is prepared with water, but this version entirely replaces water with milk. The drink is prepared by adding warm milk to dry mate leaves.
It results in a creamier and less bitter version than the standard mate. Mate con leche can be enjoyed plain, but it is also commonly sweetened with sugar or honey, and it sometimes may include spices. This version is also prepared and served in a hollowed gourd, together with a bombilla—a specialized metal straw that also functions as a sieve.
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