Peruvian Mate de Coca Recipe
Mate de coca is a traditional Peruvian tea made from the leaves of the coca plant. The leaves are steeped in hot water and sometimes sweetened before drinking. It is served at any time of the day.
Mate has several meanings in Peru. It can refer to a gourd used for drinking or yerba mate; a plant used to make herbal tea with stimulant properties. In this case, it refers to an infusion made with the plant leaves and hot water.
Mate de coca is sometimes steeped with other herbs such as yerba mate, peppermint or muna also known as Andean mint.
Origin & Cultural Significance
The coca plant is indigenous to South America. It has been consumed traditionally for centuries by indigenous peoples. The brewed tea is used medicinally for various ailments. When the raw leaves are chewed, they suppress hunger, thirst, pain and fatigue making it popular amongst hikers.
The leaves are a stimulant with effects comparable to caffeine and is generally harmless, but this is the same plant from which cocaine is derived. In the 1800’s this cocaine derivative was used in the popular drink, coca cola.
Today a decocainized version is still used as a flavoring.
Peruvian Mate de Coca Recipe
Mate de coca is a traditional Peruvian tea made from the leaves of the coca plant. The leaves are steeped in hot water.
Ingredients
- Water - 3 liters
- Coca leaves - 12
- Honey - 2 tsp
- Lemon - to taste
Instructions
- In a pot, place the water and bring to a boil.
- Add the leaves, turn off the heat and let steep for a few minutes.
- Strain then add the honey and a squeeze of lemon.
- Serve Hot
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 11Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 20mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.
