Origin and Benefits
Mate originates from South America. It’s an herbal tea made by steeping dried leaves and twigs of the holly plant. Mate contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Hot and Cold Preparation
Mate can be prepared hot, cold, or as a latte. Cold mate is called tereré. Tereré is popular in summer to refresh and hydrate.
Cold Brew Instructions
To make cold brew, use one part leaves to four parts cold water. Adjust amounts to suit your taste. Use organic, fair-trade mate with strong aroma.
Steep overnight in the fridge. Add lemon, orange, or herbs like mint if desired. The traditional way to drink mate is hot in a gourd with a bombilla (straw). But mate is versatile – enjoy it iced or mixed into cocktails.
Tereré
There is a cold version called tereré. Tereré is cold-brewed, made by infusing leaves in cold water, often with added flavors like lemon, lime, or fresh mint. This method produces a milder, less bitter drink compared to hot.
How to Make Tereré
To make:
- Mix 1 part leaves with 4 parts cold water. Adjust amounts to taste.
- Use high-quality, organic for best flavor.
- Refrigerate for 1-2 days to let flavors develop.
Enjoy tereré straight up over ice or transform it into a refreshing summertime cocktail. With its mellow flavor and versatility, cold brew makes a delicious iced tea alternative.
You can make tea in any vessel, from a coffee maker to infusers to cold brewing. The temperature of the water greatly affects the taste.
To brew it properly, you’ll need:
- yerba mate leaves
- a mate gourd or cup
- a metal straw or bombilla
- hot water
The mate gourd is a traditional container used to brew and drink, often made of natural materials like wood or gourd and decorated.
For the perfect brew, keep the water temperature around 160-180°F when steeping. Temperature variations can enhance certain flavors based on personal taste preferences. You can use any vessel – from the traditional gourd to a coffee maker, teapot, or more.
Enjoy discovering unique flavors. Choose from traditional bold leaves or sweet, herbal flavored varieties. Ensure freshness by storing in an airtight container away from light and moisture. Now learn the art of brewing.
Differences in Preparation
Mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves in hot water. It tastes like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. You can make cold by first brewing hot then pouring it into a pitcher. Next, add lime, lemon juice, mint, honey, or whatever you prefer, and let the tea cool before adding ice cubes or putting it in the refrigerator until cold.
When brewing, aim for 150°F to 160°F. This temperature range helps retain antioxidants and nutrients in the leaves, offering health benefits. It also results in a smooth, mild taste. Higher temperatures yield a stronger, bolder flavor. What temperature you prefer depends on personal taste.
To prepare traditional, use a bombilla (filtered straw) and gourd or cup. Place the bombilla in the gourd and add leaves. Pour hot water just off boil over the leaves and sip the tea through the bombilla. This is the customary method in South America.
You can also brew using tea bags, loose leaves, or a French press. For tea bags, steep one bag per cup of hot water for a few minutes. If using loose leaves, measure the leaves before steeping. With a French press, add leaves and cold water, let sit for two minutes, then press down the plunger.
Origin and Benefits
Mate originates in South America where it has been consumed for centuries, often in social settings. It contains caffeine as well as antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Iced is a refreshing alternative to brewing it hot. To cold brew, combine leaves, water, and optional fruit in the refrigerator overnight then strain before drinking.