Brewing Tips
To achieve maximum caffeine extraction, steep the leaves for 5-10 minutes. The longer you steep, the stronger the caffeine kick. It has higher caffeine levels than most teas. Its popularity and unique taste make it a beverage worth exploring.
In Argentina, where it is consumed daily by millions of people, the ideal water temperature is around 160-180°F. This ensures that the leaves release their full flavor. You can reuse the leaves for a second infusion to make the tea even stronger. Adjusting brewing techniques can further enhance the strength of your brew.
Flavor Enhancements
Adding honey and creamer makes it taste like a can. Brewing loose in a French press is my preferred method. You can also add mint, ginger or orange peel for added delight.
Serving Size
The amount used per cup is a personal preference. On average, most people use 2-3 tablespoons per cup, but some may use more or less depending on taste. Every time you fill the cup it’s called a wash. Pour hot water directly into the yerba mate until it almost reaches the top, leaving the mountain dry. A good thermos will keep your water hot for 12+ hours of mate throughout the day.
The leaves are harvested and brewed similar to tea to make a popular specialty beverage. I’ll take you from growing to preparation to drinking – everything about it condensed on this helpful page!
Yerba mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It has a flavor somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. The ideal water temperature for brewing yerba mate is approximately 170°F (77°C); using boiling water will produce a bitter, inferior beverage.
Best Yerba Mate Products
- Best Overall: U.S. Wellness Naturals Yerba Mate Tea
- Runner-up: Rosamonte Special Selection Yerba Mate Tea
- Strongest: Canarias Yerba Mate
Adding herbs like mint and lemongrass can enhance yerba mate’s flavor and provide additional benefits. The traditional sharing circle – passing one gourd with bombilla between friends – is a great way to enjoy yerba mate socially.
Overall this stimulating tea with its caffeine and oils has a unique energizing yet calming effect. It’s a nutritious alternative to coffee that’s becoming more popular worldwide.
Simple Brewing Instructions
You can make yerba mate like any other tea. Simply use 1 tablespoon of yerba per 8 ounces of water. let it steep for 3-5 minutes. You can also drink yerba mate tea bags. I personally find tea bags to be too mild for my taste.
If you’re brewing loose yerba mate in a French press (my preferred method), you can also add a sprig of mint, some diced ginger, or some orange peel for delight.
The ideal water temperature for brewing yerba mate is around 160-180°F (70-80°C).
First, let’s take a look at the many evidence-based mental and physical health benefits of yerba mate.
I encourage you to try and take advantage of the whole range of benefits offered by drinking the infusion of inconspicuous leaves and twigs of Paraguayan holly.
Caffeine Content
The caffeine content of yerba mate tea depends on the brewing method. It varies between 20mg and 180mg per cup. On average, a cup of yerba mate tea contains about 70 mg of caffeine, while a cup of coffee averages 120 mg.
While yerba mate contains caffeine, studies show consuming up to 300mg daily is safe during pregnancy. Some traditional uses beyond caffeine include aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and improving mental clarity.
On average green tea has 25mg and black tea 50mg of caffeine per cup.
The popular Guayaki Yerba Mate energy drink has 150mg caffeine per 16oz can. This is a standard caffeine amount for energy drinks.
In general, tea bags brew the tea with the lowest caffeine levels, while the traditional gourd and bombilla method results in much higher caffeine. The effects of yerba mate caffeine can last 4-6 hours in healthy adults. This provides enough alertness and focus to perform tasks or stay awake.