1/ Mate and matcha, two similar words
Mate and matcha are two teas with fascinating stories and multiple benefits. Mate, originally from South America, is an infusion with a unique taste, appreciated for its caffeine and antioxidant content. This drink, often consumed in a friendly atmosphere, is an integral part of the culture and tradition of South American peoples.
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If the words matcha and mate look alike, starting with the same three letters, it is a linguistic coincidence. Indeed, “Matcha” means “ground tea” in Japanese, while “yerba mate” is a derivative of “mati” in the Quechua language (indigenous people present in Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Colombia), which designates the calabash or gourd used to prepare mate. Then by extension, the term was used for the drink itself.
Whether you're looking for a drink to lose weight or boost your energy, these two teas are excellent choices. Matcha is known to provide gentle, long-lasting energy, while mate provides more immediate energy.
2/ Mate and matcha, two distinct plants
While we tend to hear “tea” in the word mate, this drink is not. The leaves used to make it come from another plant: yerba mate. Today cultivated in several Latin American countries, it grew in the wild when the Guarani Native Americans started consuming it several thousand years ago. Conversely, matcha green tea is a powdered green tea from an ancient Japanese ceremony. Result of tea leaves crushed between two blocks of granite, to give an emerald green powder. It is enjoyed by frothing it in a bowl. The uniqueness of matcha, compared to other green tea, lies in the fact that the leaf is not only infused, but entirely ingested during tasting. A delight of unique flavors!
Its high content of antioxidants and richness in nutrients make it a real ally for health. This drink, consumed for centuries, is distinguished by its subtle flavors and its energizing power.
3/ Mate and matcha, a difference in equipment and preparation
One of the common points between these two drinks is that it will be difficult to prepare them without certain accessories. For yerba mate, you will therefore need to invest in a gourd, called a “calabash”, in which the mate is infused. As well as in a metal tube (“bombilla”), which serves both as a straw, but also as a filter. To prepare matcha tea according to the rules of the art, you will need a circular bowl (called “chawan” in Japan, and made of porcelain), a traditional bamboo whisk (“chasen”) which is used to beat the tea powder to obtain a creamy foam, and finally a small wooden spatula (“chasaku”) which allows you to measure out the right quantity of matcha.
NB : we strongly recommend that you opt for organic products. The appellation guarantees you better quality and leaves grown with respect for the environment according to the criteria of sustainable and responsible agriculture.
4/ The taste of mate VS the taste of matcha
Both drinks can be classified in the same taste category, that of a vegetal, slightly bitter flavor. But this remains a generality, because not all yerba mates and matchas are uniform in taste. Traditional mate is drunk very bitter, while green mate (unripened) is sweeter and more flavored. Same similarity for matcha, whose bitterness can be more or less marked, depending on the quality or concentration. When the balance between vegetality and bitterness occurs, we then speak of an “umami” taste. A Japanese term for a long-lasting and mild aftertaste. Finally, note that you can play on the taste of mate and matcha, by adding water, sugar or milk, for example.
The recipe for “classic” matcha:
- Place a teaspoon of matcha at the bottom of your bowl.
- At the same time, heat water in a kettle. Do not exceed a temperature of 70 to 80°C as this risks damaging the matcha leaves or making the drink too bitter.
- Gradually pour the water into the bowl and beat the mixture using the whisk to obtain a smooth or slightly foamy liquid.
- Enjoy! For the latte version, simply add milk.
To learn more about making matcha tea, it's over here !
The recipe for “classic” mate:
- Fill the calabash ⅔ full with the yerba mate leaves. Form a pile at the bottom of the side of the container.
- Heat water to a temperature of 70-80°C. Water that is too hot will make the drink bitter. It's up to you to choose according to your tastes.
- Carefully pour the water into the bombilla on the empty side right next to the yerba mate leaves.
- Place the bombilla and enjoy! The leaves will begin to steep after 30 seconds.
5/ The benefits of mate VS the benefits of matcha
Mate and matcha have in common that they are concentrates of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, which stimulate natural immunity and slow down the aging of cells. More specifically, those present in mate help with concentration, while reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Another advantage of mate: it has an appetite suppressant effect, forcing the body to draw on its reserves. Matcha, for its part, includes a molecule, theanine, known to have a beneficial effect on memory and concentration.
Also read: The health benefits of mate and The virtues of matcha on the body.
6/ The stimulating effect of mate VS matcha
Mate and matcha have in common that they are composed of caffeine or theine (because they are the same molecule), which makes them stimulating drinks, providing a little “boost”. Unlike coffee, which is a stimulant, and whose effect is stronger, but more limited in time, matcha and mate have an action that lasts more gently and longer over time. Matcha remains active in the body for 8 hours. By acting on our brain system, theine/caffeine helps increase alertness and fight against falling asleep. Less energizing than coffee, matcha and mate are, however, more stimulating than classic tea. Do mate and matcha prevent you from sleeping? We will answer that “it depends”, because the impact of caffeine/theine on sleep depends on each person’s sensitivity.
These two teas Yerba mate and matcha are therefore 2 plants between which it is often difficult to choose. Taste, preparation, price, origin, their differences are not lacking! But they both have many benefits: rich in antioxidants, boost effect thanks to caffeine, strengthening of the immune system, etc. And then why choose? All you have to do is alternate between the two to vary the pleasures!
On a journey of discovering new flavors, why not try both? Each tea tells a rich story, deeply rooted in the culture and tradition of its country of origin. Test them out and find out which one suits your preferences!