Heaven of Tea

With the World Cup adding a bit of global culture to our summer, we can’t help but explore the unique cultures and food that each country brings to the table. Beyond an amazing team of soccer players, Argentina produces an incredible shrub that many tea drinkers aren’t familiar with, Maté tea.

Maté, a South American wild shrub, is flavorful, pungent and mildly earthy. Known as an energizing drink, Maté tea contains a stimulant similar to caffeine without the addictive or jittery tendencies of coffee. Beyond its stimulating sips, Maté is rich in vitamins and minerals (21, to be exact) and can work as an appetite suppressant.

In addition to an energetic and flavorful sip, try this chilly recipe for Maté Ice Cream adapted from this recipe of foodbuzz.

Maté Ice Cream

• 2 teaspoons of Maté
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups cream

Steep two teaspoons of Maté in boiling water for 5-6 minutes.  Let cool. Beat the eggs and milk together in a medium saucepan.  Add the sugar and cook over medium-low heat stirring constantly until the mixture is thick enough to coat the spoon, approximately 10 minutes.  (Be sure to use lower heat–if it’s too high, the egg will cook.)  Let cool completely.  Add the Maté tea and the cream and process in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions.