Tips for Sweetening Yerba Mate
Something to keep in mind is that when you sweeten your mate, the original flavor and natural characteristics of yerba mate cannot be fully appreciated. Then you need to cover it with water at a temperature between 70°C and 80°C.
Try these excellent ideas for making your next cup of yerba mate taste good!
Sweeten the Deal
The herbal tea is known for being so bitter it is almost astringent, so it is just begging for sweetness.
The herbal drink has a slight astringent bitter taste due to the high tannin content of the leaves. As with other bitter beverages such as black coffee, beer, or tea, straight yerba mate is an acquired taste for some consumers.
While gourd preparation is still the preferred way to drink the South American beverage in South America, modern day methods work as well.
Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. The simplest method for many is to treat yerba mate like any other loose tea; steep it in hot water and then filter out the leaves before drinking.
Making Yerba Mate Less Bitter
To keep the bitterness, put an amount that makes a good mound. Once done, maintain foam and flavor. For the first mates, feed on top of the straw then consume the mound’s yerba. Avoid losing the mound by pouring just enough water to not pass the straw’s hole.
- South Americans safely drink 1-4 liters daily.
- Avid drinkers have 1-2 liters.
- Steep 3-5 minutes in less than boiling water.
Adding Flavor
The flavor of the drink may slightly vary depending on how it was grown and brewed.
Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak.