The herbal tea is a native to South America. The leaves of the plant are brewed to make a drink called mate. It has an herby, earthy flavor. The herbal tea tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee. The herbal tea became popular in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. It was known by indigenous tribes as an herb that increased stamina.
How to Prepare the Herbal Tea
To make traditional preparation, steep dried leaves in 170°F water. Do not boil the water, as this makes the tea bitter. The simplest method is to treat it like other loose leaf teas by steeping and straining out the leaves. However, traditional preparation uses a special gourd and filtered metal straw called a bombilla for continuous brewing without straining, similar to a Gong Fu tea ceremony.
The herbal tea contains caffeine like coffee and green tea do. But it does not cause jitters or crashes. The energy lasts longer. It can be paired with sweet or savory foods like pastries, cheese or charcuterie to complement its earthy flavor.
The herbal tea is a wonderful experience. There are various herbs that can be infused with it to enhance its flavor and provide health benefits. Peppermint works well for hot and iced preparation, creating an awakening flavor profile. Add 1 part hemp leaf for every 3 parts the herbal tea. The peppermint flavor compliments it nicely. It’s especially good in cold brews, but works in hot brews too. Whether making the herbal tea hot or cold, it’s a great herbal alternative to coffee.
To prepare, place the herbal tea into a gourd and insert a metal straw. Tea bags are another convenient way to prepare it. Add bags to a mug, pour in water and steep 5 minutes before removing bags.
The herbal tea still tastes great cold. Make an overnight cold brew, or add honey or lemon. Limit consumption, though locals may drink up to 4 liters daily. Start with less until you know your tolerance.
That’s all you need to start drinking it, especially if you’re a beginner. Grab yourself a handful of the herbal tea, add it into a frenchpress, teapot, or traditional gourd, then add hot water or make it cold, wait a few minutes, then enjoy.
The herbal tea is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in large amounts or for long periods.
The plant is native to South America and popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. The main components for drinking it are:
- Gourd – the basic cup;
- The herbal tea leaves for steeping;
- Hot water; and
- Metal straw.
It can be found in teas, smoothies, cocktails and sodas combining its flavor with ingredients for a delightful experience whether you prefer a shot or bubbly drink. It pairs well with wine, enhancing earthy flavor, and beer, providing complexity.
It’s an herb with caffeine, not an herbal tea, with 85 mg of caffeine compared to 100 mg in coffee. Coffee drinkers often suffer a crash.
The "yerba mate" style refers to cold water added first then hot water, drunk with the bombilla adding water until aroma disappears.
The herbal tea is traditionally shared in social gatherings. The cebador prepares, drinks first to filter out particles, refills then passes to others.
The herbal tea is consumed more than coffee in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. The origins are filled with folklore. Discovered by indigenous peoples of Paraguay and Southern Brazil, it was known as an herb “from the gods”.
Though caffeinated like coffee and green tea, the herbal tea has differences. It has the same caffeine as coffee, but doesn’t make the drinker jittery. You’ll feel body and mind stimulation long after drinking it. Coffee drinkers often suffer a crash.
To make traditional preparation you’ll need: a gourd, bombilla, and the herbal tea leaves. The bombilla is a filtered metal straw. Lots goes in the gourd followed by hot water. The host samples it first. Guests drink the gourd of tea and refill it with hot water to pass counter-clockwise.
The herbal tea provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients. It offers many mental and physical health benefits. Pairing food can enhance the taste too.
The herbal tea is brewed from the Ilex paraguariensis plant. To start, add it to a vessel, add hot water, wait a few minutes, then enjoy. That’s all you need as a beginner.