What is caffeine? What are its effects?
Discovered in 1819 by a German chemist, caffeine is a nitrogen-based molecule (we call them “Alkaloids”) acting as a stimulant on the body. It was named caffeine because it was first discovered in coffee. This same molecule is found in tea, where it is called theine. Acting as a natural insecticide in plants, its effects in humans are fortunately different: it temporarily reduces drowsiness and increases attention span. The difference between coffee and tea comes from the fact that coffee contains much more: 3 to 4 times more than in a cup of tea. This explains the exciting effect of coffee, followed by a “come down” about two hours later. While tea is considered a stimulant, which is more gentle, but longer lasting.
Is caffeine present in yerba mate?
Quite. Its plant, called Yerba mate, includes caffeine in good quantities in its leaves (we assume 1%). This is enough for its consumption to act on our brain system, increasing alertness and fighting against falling asleep.
Is mate a stimulant?
No, we will rather talk about a natural energizer. Mate can be drunk in the morning or before a sports session, to give yourself a little boost. Does mate prevent you from sleeping? We will answer that “it depends”. As with tea or coffee, the impact of caffeine on sleep depends on individual sensitivity.
What is the energizing effect of mate compared to coffee?
Mate contains on average less caffeine than in coffee. Its effect on the body will therefore be a little lighter. Estimates fluctuate depending on how hot drinks are prepared. However, be aware that the theine level varies from one tea to another depending on the characteristics specific to its cultivation (season of leaf harvest and their bud content). Additionally, each person will react differently to theine. We cannot therefore assume the theine content of one tea compared to another.
How to dose mate according to the desired effect?
You can proceed in the same way as with coffee or tea, by measuring the strength, its concentration, adding water, adding fewer mate leaves, depending on the taste and the expected effect. Thus, by throwing away the first infusion, and adding water, we manage to detheine the tea. The same can be done with mate, making its leaves less concentrated in caffeine during the second infusion.
Our advice for properly preparing yerba mate
Preparing yerba mate is an art. To do this, you will need a calabash, a bombilla and a few mate leaves (preferably organic).
1-Fill the calabash ¾ full with mate leaves.
2-Heat water in a kettle, do not exceed a temperature of 80°C in order to preserve the leaves.
3-Tilt the gourd so that the leaves are on one side.
4-Pour hot water onto the exposed part of the calabash.
5-The infusion time varies depending on your tastes and the flavor you want to give to your drink. The recommended duration is generally between 5 and 10 minutes. Purists will prefer a longer infusion time in order to obtain a full-bodied drink in the mouth.
6-Taste the drink with a bombilla (mate straw).
7-You can infuse the leaves several times during the day.
Yerba mate is a drink full of health benefits. Prepared according to the rules of the art, it will give you the energy you need for your day thanks to its caffeine content. Stimulating and energizing, it represents an excellent alternative to tea or coffee. Discover Kusmi Tea mate blends ! Delicious organic products.