One of the main backlashes connected to mate is the acidity. Every person is different and some mate users might complain of gastroesophageal reflux disease. This disease is caused by the acidity, and that might differ from one kind of mate to another.
On the scientific side, acidity is something to be measured on the pH scale, which uses 7.0 as an indicator of neutrality, numbers under 7 as more acidic & numbers above 7 are considered alkaline (or basic). Lemon juice registers at about 2.0; A typical highly acidic breakfast blend coffee might land somewhere around 4.7 PH. Milk at 6.5. Though Yerba Mate is considered Alkaline, some of our customers complained of acidity and heartburn in the past.
Mate and PH values
In 2009, we spoke with Dr. Ari l., a mate connoiseur and author of several books on Gaucho culture. He explained that the sapeco process is an important step in the mate production to stop the oxidation and that this process is very carefully done on the artisanal mate, which than is not so acidic. Fabrício, creator of meta mate, has had acidity problems with mate before and after that started to use only artesanal mate whitough having acidity reflux any more. This is also what we have experienced in the past 5 years; many mate drinkers that we have come into contact with who complained about acidity when drinking normal mate were surprised to discover that the artisanal mates do not have this effect on them.
The producer of Meta Mate’s Cosmetics (Soap, Face and Hand Cream) tested with distillate water the PH values of various Mate, and her results confirmed the expectations:
PH - Meta Mate 23
PH - Meta Mate Raw
PH - Meta Mate Artisanal
PH - Coffee
Ancient Mate Production
The most ancient mate production tradition of stopping the oxidation by rapidly exposing the mate leaves to fire makes the most gentle mate for the stomach. Many people have health problems with coffee; not only in Brazil, but also in Argentina where yerba mate reigns. There are reports comparing the acidity from Mate Artisanal and Industrial:
“En cuanto al sabor, los consumidores destacan la ausencia total de acidez, un aspecto habitualmente remarcado en las marcas industriales.”
Google Translation:
“For taste, consumers highlight the total absence of acid, usually one aspect highlighted in the industrial brands.”
From: Taringa (http://www.taringa.net/post/offtopic/16410955/Sabes-Que-Tipo-de-Yerba-Mate-Consumis-Informate.html)
Other Advantages of Mate
Theobromine
Mate has Theobromine that adds combines to the energy boosting of caffeine contributing to warm, positive, happy feelings.
Theophylline
Mate has Theophylline which acts as a muscular relaxer aiding to be alert but not stressed.
High Mineral Content
Last but not least, is the high content of minerals. By drinking traditional Mate, one gets a variety of minerals and vitamins, especially Magnesium and Potassium. These feed the cells and together with the xanthines contribute to an over-all well-being feeling.
Minerals and Meta Mate Raw
Yerba Mate, Erva Mate and Meta Mate
To understand best the differences between yerba mate, erva mate and meta mate check this video made at Meta Mate Berlin:
