How long should you steep the herbal infusion?
To achieve the ideal brewing temperature, the water should be heated to around 150-160°F (65-70°C). This temperature range helps extract the flavors and compounds from the leaves without scorching them. Allow the herbal tea to steep for 3-5 minutes. Longer steeping times will yield a stronger flavor, while shorter times will result in a milder taste. The same leaves can be refilled multiple times before losing flavor. Experiment with the number of refills to find your desired strength. However, it’s important to avoid common mistakes when preparing the South American drink. Never use boiling water or it will become much more bitter.
The herbal beverage is traditionally enjoyed as a hot or cold drink, and it is typically prepared using a gourd and a metal straw called a bombilla. Fill the gourd with leaves, filling it about three-quarters full. Pour hot water over the leaves, filling the gourd to the top. Allow the drink to steep for a few minutes, allowing the leaves to absorb the water. Insert the bombilla into the gourd, making sure the filtered end of the straw is submerged in the liquid.
Even the most sweet and light blend can be ruined and become undrinkable if you don’t avoid these common pitfalls. Do prepare the drink correctly and traditionally, meaning that you fill up the gourd 2/3 to 3/4 with leaves and drink it through bombilla.
Of course, in order to drink the herbal tea you need a package of the herb itself. There are many different brands but the one I just bought is packaged by Rosamonte. Whenever you drink the tea you need hot water – and not just a single cup, but a full bottle supply. It’s easiest to boil water and put it into a thermos. The most commonly known health benefit is its energy-boosting nature. The tea has 85 milligrams of caffeine compared to 90 milligrams present in a standard cup of coffee.
Can the South American drink be steeped twice?
The herbal tea can be re-steeped up to 10 times before losing flavor. To maximize the flavor and benefits, you can brew it multiple times. However, it’s important to know the maximum rebrewing limit. The maximum rebrewing limit is typically around three to four times. After that, the leaves lose their potency.
Proper steeping and water temperature can help preserve the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves. When drinking from a gourd or even a mug, you can refill it as many times as needed until all the flavor is gone. Depending on the gourd size and the amount of leaves used, this can range from 10 to 30 refills.
How many times do you refill the gourd?
The herbal infusion can be re-steeped up to 10 times before losing flavor. When preparing the South American drink for multiple refills, use the recommended temperature to enhance the flavor. You can refill the gourd or mug as many times as needed until the flavor is gone. Depending on the gourd size and amount of leaves used, this can range from 10 to 30 refills.
Drinking too much can be dangerous for health. The intake of caffeine and other phytochemicals is mostly limited to the first few refills. Everything beyond this is like slightly flavoured water. It’s contraindicated for pregnant women and those with cardiovascular diseases.
You can drink the herbal tea alone but sharing it with friends or family is better. Meeting up in beautiful, calm nature is part of the tradition and ritual. Several people get together and share one gourd with just one bombilla.
Is it OK to drink the herbal infusion everyday?
South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters daily. In United States, Canada, and Europe, drinkers consume at least 1–2 liters daily. The amount you consume will depend on your tolerance.
It’s touted as a social drink, but it’s just as common to drink alone in the morning, like coffee. Avoid drinking mate after 6 p.m. if you have difficulty sleeping. Not all people react the same to the stimulating effect. People easily stressed should restrain consumption.
There’s no proof drinking causes cancer. Consuming large amounts of very hot liquids for long periods may lead to esophageal cancer, so avoid high temperatures.
The traditional way to make hot drink is to brew the leaves with hot water inside the mate gourd. Traditionally mate is shared, but one person is in charge of brewing and passing the gourd to each person.
The herbal tea contains more caffeine than green or white tea, but less than coffee. If unfamiliar, it’s a holly plant native to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil with leaves used to make a bitter tea called mate.