The leaves are dried and steeped in hot water to make the tea. It has a unique, earthy flavor. The tea offers health benefits like increased energy, improved digestion and reduced inflammation.
The hot tea is called mate. The cold version is called tereré.
Traditionally the tea is drunk from a hollowed out gourd. The gourd is filled up to three quarters full with the dried leaves. Then hot water, between 70-80 °C, is added. The tea can be refilled many times until the flavor is gone. This depends on the size of the gourd and amount of leaves used. It can range from 10 to over 30 refills.
The yerba mate plant
The yerba mate plant is part of the holly genus Ilex. It has the botanical name Ilex paraguariensis.
Reusing the leaves
When drinking from a gourd or mug, refill it as many times as needed until all the flavor is gone. Depending on the gourd size and amount of yerba used, this can range from 10 to 30 refills. So you can definitely keep reusing the yerba within the same day.
Extract powder
Terravita Yerba Mate Extract Powder is a 4:1 strength extract with 4 grams of dried leaves used to make 1 gram of extract. You can start by mixing a small amount (1/4 teaspoon) with water, increasing later per your preference.
Be sure to listen to your body, as too much yerba mate can cause headaches, nausea, and dizziness. Always seek professional advice about using yerba mate with medications or during pregnancy.
Preparing at home
You can prepare the tea at home by placing the leaves in a gourd, French press or tea bag, then pour in hot water and wait a few minutes, like when preparing green or black tea. While commonly consumed hot, it is sometimes served cold, especially in very hot climates.