Making Maté in a French Press

Can you use a French press for maté?

Yes. Brewing maté in a French press is easy. Follow these steps:

1. Place 2 tablespoons of maté into the French press filter.
2. Slowly pour 16 ounces 150°F water over the maté.
3. Allow 4-6 minutes to brew.
4. Depress the plunger to strain.

For a larger batch, use a ratio of 1 tablespoon maté per 8 ounces of water.

The French press method is convenient, portable, and tasty. Maté has antioxidants, boosting health.

To clean, rinse the press with warm water. Wash components with mild soap. Fully dry before reassembling.

You can also make iced maté, known as tereré, in a French press. Use either hot or cold water. Hot water makes a stronger flavor. Cold water is milder.

Add herbs to enhance flavor. Maté has health benefits.

How long do you let maté steep?

With a French press, you can easily adjust the strength by choosing how much loose leaf maté tea you use and how long you let it steep.

Today I will share with you my favorite way to brew maté. While traditionally it is brewed in a gourd, here is the low down on how to french press it in this video. The result is a flavorful, earthy yet smooth, and bold brew of maté.

What you need

• Guayaki loose leaf maté
• French press
• Kettle or pot to boil water
• Water

DIRECTIONS

1. Place maté per cup of water in french press.
2. Pour cold water over the maté.
3. Bring water nearly to a boil, pour over the maté in the french press.
4. Let steep 3-7 minutes and enjoy!

Proportions

Due to the lack of cold water, the yerba expels the heat it received at the beginning since it is burned. Once again, this will only diminish or worsen the taste of your mate.

The proportions are not exact, but to have an idea, the desired thing is that it reaches exactly the half of the mate. Although you will have the feeling that you are falling short in terms of quantity, it will surely achieve the necessary uniformity. In case you do not follow the steps that we leave you above, what will happen is that the amount of maté you put is not enough, or otherwise, too much.

The traditional method for brewing maté entails steeping the leaves in hot water, but not boiling, and requires special equipment – a bombilla and gourd. This ritualistic preparation is meant to be enjoyed slowly with others. The process, not just the flavor, makes this traditional brewing method special.

For a simple and quick brew, prepare maté in a French press:

1. Fill a French press with 3 spoonfuls of maté.
2. Add water.
3. Let sit 2 minutes, press the plunger, then pour.

A French press yields a flavorful, smooth brew. Experiment with different blends and brewing times to find your perfect flavor.