Mate is a drink made by steeping dried mate plant leaves in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. This makes mate a milder choice for those looking to limit caffeine intake.
Mate is prepared by steeping dried leaves in hot water, like tea. But there are more steps that set it apart. Mate is meant to be enjoyed slowly with people you care about. Brewing leaves with reverence makes the experience special.
The traditional method uses a gourd and bombilla. The bombilla is inserted into the mountain of leaves in the gourd. Hot water is poured into the gourd in a “wash”. The perfect pour leaves the top of the dry. Then you drink.
An alternative is to use a French press, tea infuser or mason jar instead of the gourd and bombilla. Pay attention to proper water temperature and steeping time.
Mate is traditionally consumed in parts of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil.
When preparing mate, use a ratio of 1 tablespoon per 6 ounces of water. Steep the tea for 4-6 minutes to fully extract the earthy, vegetal flavors without excessive bitterness. The seeds have specific stratification requirements and can be difficult to germinate.
Mate has caffeine and various antioxidants. Consumed in moderation by healthy adults, it is generally safe. Traditionally, mate is shared communally. The flavor can be enhanced by adding milk, fruit, herbs and spices.
To reuse mate leaves, add more hot water and let steep again. The flavor will get stronger with each steeping. Loose leaf mate is often more sustainable and flavorful than tea bags. With loose leaves, you can adjust the strength by changing the amount of leaves and the steeping time.
Mate is a social drink in South America. People meet in parks or beautiful, calm nature locations to slowly sip mate over several hours. Sharing the experience forges strong bonds.
The traditional brewing method yields the best flavor but requires special equipment – a bombilla (metal straw) and a gourd. Pay attention to the whole ritual for the full experience.
You can also cold brew mate or make iced mate tea for a refreshing summertime drink.
Mate is typically brewed using 10 grams of loose leaf per cup of water. This amount allows for the extraction of its beneficial compounds without overpowering the flavor. Finding the right balance is key.
The amount of mate you consume daily will mainly depend on your own tolerance and preference. Mate appears to be in a group of herbs known as adaptogens. Therefore, depending on your health conditions, you should know how many cups of mate should you drink per day.