Brewing Methods
An image showcasing a handcrafted gourd filled with vibrant green mate leaves, surrounded by a traditional bombilla straw, as wisps of steam rise from the hot infusion. I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different brewing methods to find that perfect cup.
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Put mate to the cup between 1/4 and 3/4 the size. It all depends on how strong taste you want. Then cover it with water at a temperature between 70°C and 80°C.
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Use fresh, pure, cold filtered water. Spring water is best. The herb is steeped in hot water, not boiling, around 160 to 180 degrees.
Growing Mate
First propagate from the seedlings. However, it’s a difficult task as the seeds rapidly lose their ability to germinate and need rooting quickly.
The plant is harvested and brewed similar to tea, to make a specialty beverage popular throughout South America.
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Steep the herb in a French press between 1 to 3 minutes to find the method that gives the best tea for your liking.
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Cold brew the South American drink with lime slices. The herb is growing in popularity, mainly due to the many health benefits it has to offer, not to mention the bold, rich flavor.
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Use a small tea strainer over your cup. Or, strain the entire brew then pour the filtered brew back into the rinsed container.
Mate to Water Ratio
What is the ratio of the South American drink to water?
The South American drink is made by steeping dried leaves and twigs from the holly tree-like plant in hot water. This flavorful, earthy beverage has been enjoyed for centuries and is known for its unique taste along with an array of health benefits.
When preparing the drink, the amount of leaves and twigs used per cup comes down to personal preference. Most people use around 2-3 tablespoons per cup depending on factors like desired strength and cup size. Those who enjoy an intense, robust flavor tend to use more per cup, while people looking for a milder brew typically use less. Start on the lower end around 2 tablespoons and adjust from there to find your ideal ratio.
The standard way to prepare the drink is to steep the leaves and twigs in hot water (not boiling to avoid bitterness) and then sip the infusion through a special filtered straw called a bombilla. Sharing the drink from a traditional gourd in this fashion is a customary social experience in parts of South America. Gathering together in nature or parks to pass around the mate creates community and emotional bonds.
Materials Needed
To brew mate, you will need:
- Mate leaves
- Mate gourd or mate cup
- Bombilla (filtered straw)
Filling The Gourd
Fill your gourd with 3/4 mate leaves. Shake the gourd to move all the mate to one side. This makes space for the bombilla and water. Place the bombilla in the space with the filter submerged in mate leaves.
Adding Water
Pour heated water into the space in the gourd. Let it steep for at least two minutes before drinking. This allows the mate to release its flavor.
The traditional method uses a gourd and bombilla. You can also make mate using a French press, tea bags, or by cold brewing. Mixing in herbs can improve the flavor too.
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Mate is made by steeping dried yerba mate leaves in hot water. Treat it like loose tea; steep and filter out leaves before drinking. Use 170°F water; boiling water makes it bitter.
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What temperature should you brew mate at? Brew it at 170°F for best flavor. Hotter water makes it bitter and harsh. Cooler water may not extract full flavor.
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Use fresh, pure, cold filtered water. Spring water is best. Steep mate in hot, not boiling, 160 to 180 degree water, like green tea.
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Never use boiling water to brew mate, because it makes it bitter. This recipe uses cool and hot water for awesome taste.
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Water should not overpower mate and be as clean as possible. Don’t use tap water unless great quality or extra filtered. Use purified or spring water instead.
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There’s no popular consensus on ideal temperature. But too cold water makes weaker tea. Hotter water brings out more flavors but risks bitterness.
The plant is harvested and brewed similar to tea into a popular specialty South American beverage.