Cannabis Mate: What It Tastes Like and How to Brew It

Cannabis mate tastes herbal, bitter and earthy, and you brew it just like regular mate, adding small, carefully measured amounts of cannabis. It's a modern twist on South America's traditional drink, yerba mate, a caffeinated herbal infusion known for its stimulating, energizing kick. This new spin combines yerba mate leaves with cannabis for an experience that's one of a kind, both in flavor and in effect.

Mate brewed with cannabis leaves has a distinctive flavor profile that blends mate's herbal, bitter notes with the earthy and sometimes fruity flavors of weed.

To make cannabis mate or cannabis tea, you follow pretty much the same process as for regular mate, just adding small amounts of cannabis. It's important to know your doses and how cannabis affects you before drinking it, since it can be psychoactive.

Combining these two plants can give you a drink that not only wakes up your mind and body but also brings on a sense of relaxation or euphoria, depending on the cannabis strain you use.

Hemp: The Cannabis Plant With a Thousand Uses

Hemp is a versatile, multi-purpose plant that's been grown for thousands of years for all sorts of benefits. Even though it often gets lumped in with drugs because of its close relative, marijuana, it's worth pointing out the differences and the many uses of this plant. The main difference is how much tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) it contains, the chemical compound responsible for the psychoactive effects.

While hemp has very low levels of THC (usually under 0.2% or 0.3%, depending on each country's laws), marijuana has a much higher content of this compound, which is what gives it its intoxicating effects.

Hemp doesn't just contain THC; it also has cannabidiol (CBD), another chemical compound with plenty of beneficial properties. Unlike THC, CBD isn't psychoactive and has been used in treatments for various medical conditions, like anxiety, chronic pain and epilepsy. That's led to growing acceptance and use of CBD in wellness and medical products.

Beyond Medical Cannabis, What Else Is There?

On top of its medical uses, hemp has a huge range of industrial applications. It's used to make fiber for clothing, rope, paper and even sustainable building materials. Hemp oil and hemp seeds, packed with nutrients and CBD, have become popular in the food industry for their health benefits.

Lately, the wellness industry has been exploring new ways to combine hemp with other popular products. One example of this trend is pairing hemp with yerba mate, the traditional South American drink known for its energizing properties.

This blend offers a unique experience that brings together hemp's nutritional benefits and potential calming effects with the energy and mental clarity of yerba mate. It's a good example of how hemp keeps pushing into new areas, opening up new ways to use and consume it.

Yerba Mate With Cannabis: An Innovative, Healthy Combo

The idea of mixing mate with cannabis started in Uruguay, a country that pioneered legalizing the cultivation, sale and recreational use of cannabis. In 2012, Uruguay began drafting a bill that was passed in 2014 and took effect in 2017, allowing registered residents to buy limited amounts of cannabis at pharmacies.

That legal opening paved the way for cannabis mate, a blend with a controversial plant that's packed with benefits. Uruguayans, who are huge yerba mate fans (they go through almost 9 kg, about 20 lb, per person a year), welcomed the idea. The first brands to sell this blend were Cosentina and Abuelita.

It's worth stressing that these yerba mates don't contain THC at levels that cause psychoactive effects (no more than 0.2%), which is what allows them to be legal and sold.

Cannabis Properties and Effects

Hemp has gained popularity for its many benefits and uses. In Spain, hemp products like oils and cosmetics with hemp extract have become a trend.

Although the cannabis teas you can buy don't contain THC and aren't addictive, they're known for their beneficial properties. The CBD in hemp leaves helps fight chronic pain, improves well-being for people dealing with anxiety or depression, and supports the digestive system.

That said, it's essential to remember that hemp isn't a medicine in the strict sense, and its benefits are felt best with regular use.

How Does CBD Cannabis Mate Work?

Yerba mate is a rich source of B and C vitamins, plus essential minerals like calcium, iron and zinc. It's loaded with antioxidants and, thanks to its high caffeine content, it gives you a strong boost, sharpens your focus and curbs hunger.

Hemp, for its part, brings a solid dose of nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, chromium, vitamins B and E, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The CBD in hemp has a relaxing, calming effect that gently offsets the caffeine buzz from the yerba mate.

That combo strikes a balance, so you can enjoy the drink even at night without worrying about it wrecking your sleep.

Yerba Mate With Cannabis Leaves: Blends You Can Find

If you're curious about trying yerba mate with hemp, there are several options out there. One of the standouts is Cannabis Absinth from the Brazilian brand Verde Mate Green, which besides green yerba mate and hemp includes wormwood and a mix of aromatic herbs. Its mild flavor makes it ideal for beginners.

Another option is Yaguar Cannabis, which contains CBD in the form of hemp flour. This Argentine-style product is known for its intense flavor and aroma, the result of oven-drying and then aging the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, the yerba mate plant.

Finally, for anyone who values high quality and ethical standards, there's Soul Mate's Organic Cannabis Yerba Mate, a limited edition that promises a unique, healthy experience.

Tips for Enjoying a Cannabis Flower Infusion

Cool It Down Properly

If you'd rather drink your cannabis infusion cold, it's key to let it reach room temperature before putting it in the fridge. That way, a sudden temperature change won't mess with the flavor and properties of the infusion.

Just let it cool down naturally, then pop it in the fridge for a refreshing drink.

Dosing and Waiting Time

Dosing is one of the most important things to get right with a cannabis infusion. Unlike inhaling, where you feel cannabis almost right away, THC you swallow takes longer to kick in, usually between one and two hours.

It's crucial to be patient and not go over the recommended dose, since the body can absorb up to 40% of ingested THC, compared with only 15% when it's smoked. That means the effects can be a lot stronger and last much longer.

So wait as long as it takes to feel the effects before even thinking about having more, to avoid a bad time from accidentally overdoing it.

Pairings and Enjoyment

A cannabis infusion is a tasty, easy way to enjoy the benefits of cannabis at home. To level up the experience, pair it with a piece of brownie or cake. It's not only delicious, it can also make a relaxing moment even more enjoyable.

Follow these tips and you'll get the most out of your cannabis infusion, while keeping the experience safe and enjoyable.