Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. The simplest method for many is to treat mate like any other loose tea; steep it in hot water and then filter out the leaves before drinking.
Ingredients:
- Mate
- Cold water
- Hot, but not boiling, water
Brewing mate at home can be an exciting journey, especially when exploring different brewing techniques that can enhance its natural flavors. From traditional methods to modern twists, there are plenty of ways to make your cup of mate unique.
Traditional Method
The traditional method of drinking mate requires delicate care and attention. But in the end, you’re rewarded with a delicious energy-boosting infusion. Before we get started, you’ll need a few tools:
Mate Equipment:
- Mate Gourd
- Bombilla
Most people have a french press at home for making coffee or tea so this is also the most accessible method of making mate.
Never use boiling water to brew your mate, because that will make the resulting brew much more bitter. This recipe uses a blend of cool and hot water to make your mate taste awesome.
Keep mate water hot for long periods with a good thermos. Drink mate continuously by sipping small amounts over several hours, adding more water and leaves as needed.
What is good to mix with yerba mate?
Mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the mate plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak.
Mate can also be found in a range of drinks like teas, smoothies, and cocktails. These beverages combine the flavors of mate with other ingredients to create a delightful and energizing experience.
If you want things easier, try a blend where mate is already mixed with other ingredients. For example, Pajarito Mint & Lemon Yerba Mate is excellent for making tereré.
Another way of making cold refreshing mate tea is to first brew hot mate with a French press and then pour it into a pitcher. Next, add lime, lemon juice, mint, honey, or whatever you prefer, and let the mate tea cool down before adding ice cubes.
Can you eat yerba mate leaves?
Mate was originally cultivated by the Guaraní people native to Paraguay. It has been consumed in South America for centuries. The most common way of drinking mate is to continuously sip it for several hours, adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients from the mate. Mate is usually enjoyed in social gatherings in parks or calm parts of nature, as part of the tradition and ritual.
The tea comes from the dried leaves of the mate plant, which is a species of holly, Ilex paraguariensis. It contains about 78 mg of caffeine per cup, which is more than tea but less than coffee.
Mate has numerous health benefits that have been confirmed by scientific research. Its beneficial compounds can be extracted into supplements available as tablets, capsules, powder and liquid. These enable enjoying the benefits without brewing the tea.
Moderate consumption of mate, either cold or hot, can be safely enjoyed unless caffeine sensitivity is present. In that case, brewing kombucha with mate can increase bioavailability of its beneficial properties while mitigating the caffeine. Stored properly, mate leaves should last at least one year. They can be reused until losing their fragrance, which reduces the price per cup.