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harijs
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BEST ANSWER  chosen by asker   |  harijs  |  March 25, 2009 01:29 PM  |  view on twitter
Yerba Mate is a plant (shrub or small tree) from which a beverage called Mate is made.

Caffeine content varies between 0.3% and 1.7% of dry weight (compare this to 2.5–4.5% for tea leaves, and 1.5% for ground coffee).

I have drunk it, and I have to say that I like the taste. It seemed somewhat similiar to black tea for me - although theoretically it should have a pungent taste like a cross between green tea and coffee, with hints of tobacco and oak.

I found it interesting that this "tea" could be brewed quite many times, using the same mate leaves. You can read more about the preparation of this drink here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mate_(beverage)

and about the plant itself, including more information about it's caffeine content, here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate
Asker's rating:  
Thanks! I'm having a cup now and needed to know if it would help wake me up. And I can definitely taste the smoky tones.

voted helpful: carriep

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nushka
nushka  |  March 25, 2009 02:37 PM
Too bad you didn't wait for another answer. This one should have included the warning that Mate increases bowel movement. Good luck with that.
Sources: I live in Yerba Mate Land.
bahalana
bahalana  |  March 25, 2009 03:50 PM
LOL @ nushka: that's a bad thing? My parents went on a tea craze back in the 70's when I was a kid. My dad looooved Yerba Mate and when I tasted it I loathed it. Now though, I'm into all kinds of 'acquired tastes' so maybe I'd like it now. I think I'll try some...
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