Since there are so many ways to make yerba mate without a gourd, I’ve listed the best way for each of the ten methods below. Never use boiling water. For every 8 ounces of fluid, use 1 tablespoon of the herb.
Using a Tea Strainer and Yerba Mate
The good thing about a tea strainer is it’s more of an “on the go” method. You can bring a strainer and some leaves with you and load up some into a strainer and quickly discard the leaves. This is my all-time favorite way to make yerba mate without a gourd.
Tea Infuser or Teapot
Yerba Mate Tin
Yerba Mate tin can be made the traditional style or using modernistic methods. Although preparing Yerba Mate is not a complicated matter, you need to keep a few points in mind when you are preparing information technology the traditional way.
If you like the bagged mate then you’ll surely love traditional mate! I can tell you right now the gourd is unnecesary. People seem to prefer gourds for some reason, but having drunk mate from gourds I can tell you that it makes no difference in taste whatsoever.
In Paraguay the leaves are drank cold, replacing the hot water for water and ice, in some case with a mixture of herbs, and instead of the gourd, a cured cow horn is used to contain the yerba mate. This preparation is known as "Terere".
Do I Need a Yerba Mate Gourd?
Keep these two key rules of thumb in mind… Never use boiling water. Temperatures of around 140-170oF work best.
If you’re brewing loose herb in a French press, you can add mint, ginger, or orange peel for added delight. Mate can be drunk with water – hot or cold-, milk or even juice. However, the most popular and traditional way of preparing mate is plain, with hot water.
You can bring a strainer and Yerba mate with you and load up Yerba mate into a strainer and quickly discard the leaves. Even if you prefer a gourd, this method is perhaps just as good! Using a tea infuser is very similar to using a strainer. The best infuser for Yerba mate would be a bottle infuser. It’s much easier to control the steep time.
In Paraguay the Yerba Mate is drank cold, replacing the hot water for water and ice, in some case with a mixture of herbs. This preparation is known as "Terere". Mate is also sold in teabag form (called mate cocido) so it can be steeped like other teas. If you have a coffee press, you can prepare the mate with it.
Gourds take on the flavor of the herb but also impart their own slightly sweet flavor. There’s 3 main types of gourd normally used for mate: natural ones, wooden ones, or synthetic ones.
When drinking yerba mate traditional-style, a whole-plant, traditional yerba mate cut with leaves and stem creates a smooth balance over the course of many pours.
Can You Make Yerba Mate in a Normal Cup?
Two rules of thumb… Use 140-170°F water. For 8 ounces, use 1 tablespoon yerba; adjust to taste. Now let’s move on.
Tea Infuser, Strainer, or Teapot
Wet leaves with lukewarm water first, then pour hot water through. Start with 2-3 teaspoons; add more if too light. A strainer allows you to quickly discard used leaves. My favorite way without a gourd!
- Tea strainer: For 8 ounces, put 2-3 teaspoons loose herb in strainer over cup. Wet leaves with 80–100°F water first, then pour more hot water through.
- Yerba Mate tin: Prepare traditional style or modern way. Although easy, keep some points in mind when preparing traditionally.
- Cup: Fill 2⁄3 with loose leaves. Insert bombilla all the way down. Pour in 80–100°F water.
Here’s everything you need to know to start enjoying yerba mate:
- Bombillas let you sip without swallowing leaves. Look for one with filters.
- Yerba has different finely-ground styles. Try different ones to find your preference.
Now you have the secrets to prepare perfect yerba mate every time!
Yerba mate is a tea made from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. This South American plant is a species of holly that is native to northern Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil.
To prepare yerba mate:
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Use 2-3 teaspoons of dry leaves per 8 oz cup. Adjust amount to your taste.
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Do not use boiling water, as this makes the tea very bitter. Water temperatures between 140-170°F work best.
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You can make yerba mate using several common household items:
- Tea strainer or infuser
- French press
- Regular drip coffee machine
Traditionally, yerba mate is drunk from a gourd (also called a mate) using a special filtered straw (bombilla). The bombilla prevents the tea leaves from entering your mouth while drinking.
You can also prepare yerba mate tea bags to make the tea easier to brew, similar to other bagged teas. This is called "mate cocido" in Spanish.
In addition to the traditional preparation, the herb can be enjoyed as a cold or iced tea. It makes a refreshing summertime drink.
Yerba mate has a multitude of health benefits and provides sustainable energy without negative side effects like nervous jitters or crashing. This is thanks to its unique blend of caffeine, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It’s no wonder why yerba mate has been enjoyed in South America for centuries!