Mate: an atypical ancestral drink
In Europe, mate is a drink that is currently experiencing a real boom. Many celebrities (Barack Obama and Gisele Bundchen, among others) have taken up this ancestral and undoubtedly unique “Jesuit Tea.”
Traditionally, mate comes to us from South America, more precisely from Uruguay, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. In Brazil in particular, it is used by the Guarani people for its stimulating properties: the men use it, for example, to prepare their bodies for the long marches required during transhumance.
In Europe, mate first appeared in the 16th century, where it was studied by the Jesuits. The hot drink thus spread to the four corners of the world, sometimes becoming the subject of very meticulous ritualization. In Lebanon, for example, the calabash used to drink mate must be passed from hand to hand, counterclockwise.
Discovering Betjeman & Barton Mate
Mate comes from a single plant: ilex Paraguariensis (wild holly), a shrub that can grow up to 20 meters tall and is found primarily in the border regions of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina. The word "mate" comes from the Guarani expression "caa maté": caa refers to the plant and maté to the container used to brew it.
Mate comes in several varieties: green, roasted, or refined. In Europe, green mate is the most commonly consumed. Refined mate has a very bitter taste, which is why green mate is often preferred, as it is more balanced, more vegetal, and fresher. Roasted mate, on the other hand, is characterized by rounded notes similar to those of coffee.
It is essential to know that mate, even if it is also called “Jesuit Tea,” does not correspond to a variety of tea! Mate and tea have a similar appearance but they are very different plants. Also, the mate that we invite you to discover through our selection can be considered a herbal tea: it is of course a mate originating from Brazil and which comes from the famous wild holly traditionally used by Native Americans. The mate that we have selected offers a cup with a slightly bitter flavor, with subtly smoky notes.
To enjoy your Betjeman & Barton mate, follow our preparation instructions. They'll help you choose the right brewing time and the optimal temperature.
