Yerba mate is a plant native to South America. The leaves are used to make a tea-like drink. It has an earthy flavor and contains caffeine.
There are two main ways to prepare the herb: the traditional hot tea or tereré, which is a cold brew. The cold brew takes longer to steep but is refreshing on hot days.
When preparing yerba, the amount of leaves compared to water depends on personal taste and how strong you want the flavor. The ratio can be adjusted to find the perfect balance.
The herb is commonly drunk from a gourd using a special straw called a bombilla. The bombilla filters out the leaf particles. The gourd is passed around, with everyone sharing from the same cup. This creates a social ritual.
Drinking it this way allows the flavors to develop with each pour. It’s typical to sip it slowly over several hours, adding more hot water as needed. The leaves can be reinfused many times.
The herb has reputed health benefits. It provides antioxidants, vitamins, and a lift from its natural caffeine.
The highest quality is wild grown or organic. This ensures it’s free of chemicals. The organic options provide the healthiest choice despite the slightly higher cost.
What juice is good for tereré?
Tereré is an infusion of the herb prepared with cold water, ice and medicinal herbs. Originally consumed by the Guaraní, its use spread during the Guaraní-Jesuit Missions.
In order to prepare tereré ruso, you’ll need some freshly squeezed citrus juice, like lemon, orange or grapefruit. I also prefer to dilute my juice with water to not be too tart.
Tereré has the same energizing effect and health benefits as mate, just milder. However, the yerba you use makes a big difference. As with tea, the flavor of herbs develops best in hot water. So for it to remain strong when cold, yerba undergoes a special process.
In Paraguay’s hot climate, icy tereré is the traditional beverage. Drinking tereré is an important social ritual based on trust and fostering inclusion.
The traditional vessel for tereré is a guampa mate gourd. You can use any yerba mate product. I recommend organic Paraguayan brand La Rubia. Popular juices are orange, lemon, lime, mango and pineapple.
Over 1,800 square kilometers of Paraguay is devoted to yerba cultivation. To make tereré, fill your gourd 30-50% with yerba mate. You can add fruit juice and herbs. Ice makes it extra cold.
Tereré has the well-known benefits: light, antioxidant, energizing, excellent for health. It is the perfect refreshing drink for any age.
How long do you let yerba steep?
Whether hosting a gathering or wanting a refreshing drink, follow these steps to enjoy yerba in abundance. Infusion time enhances flavors and creates a richer taste when making large batches. Choosing high-quality leaves and filtering water ensures a flavorful, clean brew. Adding herbs and flavors creates unique, delightful tastes, enhancing the overall flavor and aroma.
- The average brewing time ranges between 3-5 minutes or 2 minutes when using cold water.
- For the Cold Brew Method, instead of using warm/hot water, add cool water to loose leaf herbs at room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. This yields all tea properties with reduced bitterness and better floral notes.
To prepare traditionally, first moisten the herb with cool water. Then add 8 oz of 170°F water and let it steep for 3-5 minutes before enjoying your first drink! Keep refilling until all flavor is gone.
South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters daily. In the United States, Canada, and Europe, avid drinkers consume 1–2 liters daily. You can also make iced drinks called terere by adding juice.