What I want to share with you all today, technically, is not food. However, it IS high in nutritional value and offers plenty of vitamins, antioxidants and numerous other health benefits! Also, you must never forget that consumption of this product is a pillar of Argentine culture and economy. Enough with all the mystery, you may ask. What is this legendary beverage? It is called yerba mate, pronounced “share-bah MAH-tay.”
Not a day goes by that I don’t drink yerba mate! It has become a staple in my morning routine, and some times I end up sipping mates all day long. It just so happens that this drink combines pretty well with many different types of foods, especially sweet treats.
The first time I tried mate in 2013, my Argentine friends’ faces eagerly watched me slurp the hot liquid, searching my face for signs of intense reaction-- rejection, approval, disgust, or delight. They did not know how I would react, and I certainly did not know what to expect. Mate has a strong, natural taste, especially if you drink it without adding any type of sweetener such as sugar or honey. The temperature and flavor of the tea mixed together in my mouth, on my tongue, and down my throat. And I decided I liked it!
