66
10
Edinson Cavani's Instagram is full of pictures of him enjoying mate - you might think he drinks it almost every day! Many other South American players enjoy this drink as well, including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Sergio Aguero.
So, here's Tribuna.com's small guide to this famous drink.
What is mate?
- Mate is a traditional South American caffein-rich drink made of the dried leaves of the yerba plant. It's served in a special 'pot' made of the calabash gourd - a vine which fruits are used as tableware but they are also edible.
- Mate is a national beverage of Uruguay and Argentina so no wonder the Manchester United striker cannot stop drinking it!
Why is mate so popular among footballers?
- First of all, mate is used as a stimulant to boost the mood and improve concentration, just like tea and coffee. It doesn't affect the sleep schedule, though. On the contrary, mate makes sleep even better.
- Secondly, mate contains polyphenol antioxidants which makes it a perfect dietary addition for those who stick to healthy diets.
- Finally, there are vitamins B and C in this drink which improves one's metabolism and the immune system.
How to prepare mate in 4 steps:
It's as easy to prepare mate as any herbal tea:
- First, you fill a container with the yerba leaves.
- Traditionally, one uses a special pot made of the calabash gourd (although metal, ceramic, and wooden cups will also do). Usually, it's 50% water and 50% yerba.
- Then, you have to pour hot (but not boiling!) water over them. 70 to 85 °C is the best temperature.
- Next, you can drink it with a straw called 'bombilla' - it's used as a filter so you can drink the liquid, not the leaves.
66
10
