Intro to Mate Tea
Maté tea is brewed using leaves from the yerba mate plant. The traditional way to enjoy maté tea is to share the gourd with friends. To follow these instructions, you will need: Loose leaf maté. One of South America’s flavors, Yerba Mate is different from other steeped drinks. Though mate’s caffeine content is debated—many prefer to position the drink as a healthy alternative, it’s widely thought to energize. You can make yerba mate like any other tea. Whether with a tea strainer, tea pot, french press, or even a coffee maker, these are all options. Simply use 1 tablespoon of yerba per 8 ounces of water, let it steep for 3-5 minutes.
Brewing Instructions
Brewing yerba mate starts with boiling the leaves. First, place yerba mate leaves in a french press or tea strainer then add boiling water. Let the maté steep for 10 minutes before straining and drinking. The temperature should be between 170°F and 205°F to get the most benefits. Too cool a temperature will result in weak tea, while too hot can cause bitterness.
- Yerba mate contains a moderate caffeine, falling between coffee and tea with 85 mg per cup.
- The brewing time can affect how much caffeine is in each cup. It also boasts vitamins and minerals.
- Drinking mate is a communal activity that brings people together to share stories and bond. The delicious taste, benefits and social aspect have contributed to its rise in popularity.
Brewing Options
You can make yerba mate tea in several ways – with a strainer, teapot, French press or even a coffee maker. Use about 1 tablespoon of yerba mate per 8 ounces of water. Tea bags are milder in flavor for beginners.
Adding herbs like mint, lemon or honey customizes the flavor. Cold brewing yerba mate tea makes a refreshing, iced drink. Experiment with different methods and flavors to suit your taste.
Enjoying Mate Tea
Most importantly, take time to relax and enjoy this traditional South American tea. Its bold flavor and energizing qualities make yerba mate a satisfying, healthy beverage.
FAQ
What is the ratio of yerba mate to water?
Sharing Mate Tea
The traditional way to enjoy yerba mate tea you share the gourd (bowl) with a circle of friends and family. In order to follow these instructions, you will need: Loose leaf yerba mate tea.
Steeping Instructions
Generally, yerba mate is steeped, not boiling, at 160 to 180 degrees. Tea infusers work to infuse yerba mate. Remember to moisten yerba mate with cool water before pouring hot water.
Meeting up in parks or calm nature is tradition and ritual of drinking yerba mate. Several people share one gourd with one bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
How long do you let yerba mate sit?
Making Mate Tea
To make yerba mate in a tea pot:
- Put yerba mate leaves in the tea pot’s strainer.
- Pour 160-180°F water over the leaves.
- Brew for 4-6 minutes.
Drinking yerba mate continuously provides vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It contains less caffeine than coffee but more than tea. The caffeine improves alertness.
You can also use a French press.
- Place yerba mate leaves in the French press filter.
- Slowly pour water over the leaves, allowing it to soak in.
- Brew for 4-6 minutes.
For iced yerba mate tea,
- steep leaves in room temperature water overnight.
- In the morning, remove leaves and chill tea before serving over ice.
- Consider adding mint, chamomile or lemon to flavor.