This South American herbal tea can also be prepared like regular tea. The tea brewed with just water tastes earthy and bitter. Adding citrus juice and a bit of sweetener balances out the bitterness.
Besides hot mate tea, there is also a chilled version called tereré that is often consumed in summer. Tereré is a blend of cold water, ice, and fruits that results in a refreshing drink. Let it chill in the fridge for a few hours. Then add yerba and ice before drinking. Both hot and cold tereré are very versatile drinks that can be customized to suit individual tastes.
Water Temperature
When preparing the mate, the water temperature affects the flavor and nutrient content. Hot water over 170°F can burn the leaves and destroy nutrients. The optimal brewing temperature is 160-170°F. This maximizes flavor while preserving nutrients. The tea can also be cold brewed by steeping the leaves for 30 minutes up to overnight.
Brewing Methods
There are several methods to brew mate in addition to the traditional gourd and straw. A French press can be used by adding leaves and water, letting it steep, and then pressing down the plunger to pour. Mate tea bags are also available to brew like other teas.
Getting Started
Getting started with mate is simple. Grab yourself mate, add it into a container, then add hot or cold water, wait a few minutes, then enjoy. We’ll cover the tea bag method, cold brew mate, and mixing other herbs and ingredients to improve the flavor.
I cannot get tasty cold brew mate. Would you have advice? I’m not talking about terere but rather a drink you could prepare and drink later.
You’ll need a large pot, mate leaves and cold water. Cover with cold water and steep overnight. For a summer drink, try tereré – cold brewed mate mixed with ice, water and fruits. Add lime slices for a delicious cold brew.
The traditional method uses a bombilla straw and gourd. Modern methods include french press, tea bags, or cold brewing. Mix with mint, cedron or grapefruit. Tereré’s cooling properties make it perfect for summer.
Overview
Yerba mate is a tea-like drink popular in parts of South America. It is made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. Mate has a flavor similar to green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak.
To prepare mate, place dried leaves in a gourd or cup. Insert a metal straw (called a bombilla) into the leaves. Pour hot water over the leaves and let steep for a few minutes. Sip the tea through the bombilla, which will strain out the leaf particles.
A chilled version called tereré is also popular. Tereré is prepared by steeping mate in ice water rather than hot water. Fruit juices or herbs are sometimes added to tereré for additional flavor.
Health Effects
Drinking large amounts over long periods is linked to increased cancer risk. Moderation is advised, with 1-2 liters per day considered a safe amount by many mate drinking cultures.