1/ Maté and matcha, two similar words
The maté and the matcha are two teas with fascinating stories and multiple benefits. The maté, originating 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 of matcha and of maté are similar, starting with the same three letters, it is a linguistic coincidence. Indeed, “Matcha» means “ground tea” in Japanese, while “yerba maté» 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 the maté. 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. The matcha is known to deliver gentle, long-lasting energy, while maté brings more immediate energy.
2/ Maté and matcha, two separate plants
While we tend to hear “tea” in the word maté, 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, green tea matcha, as for it, it 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 singularity 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/ Maté 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 the yerba maté, you will therefore need to invest in a gourd, called a “calabash”, in which the maté is infused. As well as in a metal tube (“bombilla”), which serves both as a straw, but also as a filter. To prepare tea matcha 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 tea. 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 maté 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. The maté traditional is drunk very bitter, while the maté green (unripened) is softer, more flavored. Same similarity for the 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, we will note that we can play on the taste of maté and of matcha, by adding water, sugar or milk, for example.
The recipe for matcha “classic”:
- Put 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 at the risk of damaging the leaves. matcha or make 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 tea matcha, it's over here !
The recipe for maté “classic”:
- Fill the calabash ⅔ full with the yerba leaves. maté. 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 leaves maté.
- Place the bombilla and enjoy! The leaves will begin to steep after 30 seconds.
5/ The benefits of maté VS the benefits of matcha
Maté 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 the maté would help concentration, while reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Another advantage of maté : it would have an appetite suppressant effect, forcing the body to draw on its reserves. The matcha, as for it, includes a molecule, theanine, known to act beneficially on memory and concentration.
Also read: The benefits of maté on health and The virtues of matcha on the organism.
6/ The stimulating effect of maté VS of matcha
Maté and matcha have the common point of being composed of caffeine or theine (because they are the same molecule), which makes them stimulating drinks, providing a little “shot of energy”. boost". Unlike coffee, which is a stimulant, and whose effect is stronger, but more limited in time, matcha and maté have an action that takes place more gently and longer over time. The 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 maté, are, however, more stimulating than a classic tea. Does the maté and the 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 Yerba teas maté 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: richness in antioxidants, effect boost 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!