How do you make the tea sweeter?
The drink is known for being bitter. To make it sweeter, experiment with different water temperatures. Lower temperatures yield a milder brew. Optimal brewing temperature is important for less bitter tea. Finding the ideal brewing time and method can enhance the flavor.
Adding Sweeteners
Although the infusion is naturally bitter, many add sweeteners like sugar or honey. The mate gourd should be properly cured before adding sweeteners. There are many ways of drinking it (traditional, tereré, flavored, tea bags). Many choose to soften the bitterness by preparing “mate dulce” with white sugar, sweeteners, honey, stevia or brown sugar. Everyone makes mate dulce to suit their tastes.
The bitter flavor can be tough to swallow. Try these ideas for making it taste better:
- Sweeten with honey for hot tea.
- Make a simple syrup with water and sugar to sweeten iced drink.
Consumption Guidelines
South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters. In U.S., Canada and Europe, avid drinkers consume at least 1–2 liters daily. How long to steep? Steep 3-5 minutes in less-than-boiling water. It helps constipation by keeping bowels healthy and moving nicely.
The simplest method for many is to treat it like any other loose tea. Note: The ideal brewing temperature is approximately 170°F(77°C). At this stage, your palate is fully developed and accustomed to the tea.
Never use boiling water to brew it, because that will make the resulting brew much more bitter. This recipe uses a blend of cool and hot water to make your drink taste awesome.
Pour a small amount of cold water over the leaves, to help protect the nutrients from the hot water you’re going to pour in. Insert the bombilla, and lay it flat over the leaves. Pour in hot water to the top, but avoid getting that wet, so you can use it to strengthen your Mate later.
The bitterness can be adjusted by using different water temperatures, steeping times, sweeteners, and brewing methods. With some experimentation, the bitterness can be balanced to allow the flavors to shine through.