- Joel Muñoz
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
“Mate is unique and everyone should try it.”
Alice Beretta, an Italian hockey player, discovered mate in Argentina and can't live without it. She drinks it bitter, hot, or as a tereré in the summer. For Alice, mate gives her energy and focus, making it her ally during training. She always recommends mate to friends and colleagues, and emphasizes her preference for Taragüi yerba mate for its unique flavor. Enjoy the full article with a Taragüi mate in hand.
Little by little, the great benefits of mate are becoming known and gaining popularity beyond the borders of the producing countries in South America. More and more curious people are daring to explore and try it in new regions, such as Europe, for example.
Such is the incredible case of Alice Beretta, an Italian athlete who confesses to being a fan of yerba mate. Alice is a professional ice hockey and roller hockey player, playing for the Italian national team (she's just returned from China, where she was representing her country in the world championship).
Amid laughter and in tender Spanish, this cheerful and jovial young woman tells us all about her "mate habits."
Who is Alice?
"I'm a 29-year-old girl living in Milan, friendly and eager to party (but sporty above all!)," she jokes.
How did you discover mate?
—I discovered mate in Argentina, when I traveled with the Italian team in 2015 to play in the World Cup. Now I always have it with me; I can't live without it… it's my strength. Thank you!
How do you drink your mate?
"I like to drink mate in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. I always drink it bitter... do you know why?" she laughs. "Because I'm already sweet! I usually drink it hot, but this summer I'm also drinking it cold. I really like tereré."
Although Alice doesn't normally pair her mate with any meal, she explains that her diet is quite healthy: bread and jam for breakfast, fruits, vegetables, and lots of meat for lunch and dinner—and mate all the time," she reiterates.
As an athlete, what benefits do you find in mate?
—Mate energizes you, it increases your concentration. I always have more energy after drinking mate… that's why I find it unique; there's no other drink that can replace it..
Where do you buy mate when you are in Italy?
—I usually get it at the supermarket. For me, not all herbs are the same. In my opinion, the best is Taragui. I really like its flavor.
Mate isn't very common in Europe... What do your colleagues and friends think?
—They always think I'm crazy when they see me drinking mate! But after trying it, everyone wants to… I always recommend everyone to drink mate; it's magical and everyone should drink it.
What do you like most about mate?
—For me, mate is life… it gives me everything I need to live happily and with lots of energy.