Water Temperature
Generally, the best water temperature for the beverage is between 155oF – 175oF (68oC – 70oC). The lighter the body, the lower the temperature should be to avoid masking flavors with heat.
If you fully boil your water, allow it to cool for 10–15 minutes before preparing the infusion. By taking a sip of the water, you can determine if it’s too hot, too cold, or just right. What happens if the water is too cold? Although you can drink mate with cold water – it is called tereré – tereré is not just a cold mate.
Water Quality
Everything you need to know about what makes a quality water for mate, the best temperature of water, and how to keep it hot or cold during drinking sessions. You can also use purified or spring water.
There are varying reports about when the tree can be harvested, but the exact timings depend largely on climate variations, region, altitude, etc. It’s generally accepted that the herb is ready to harvest when the plant reaches four years old. It takes around three kilos of Plant to create one kilo of the infusion.
The beverage is generally infused with hot water and prepared in a mate cup, which is a hollowed-out gourd, but can also be made from wood, glass, or silicone. A bombilla, a metal straw, is placed in the cup which is passed along in a circle and shared between friends and family.
Once the tea is ready, press the filter down and pour your freshly brewed the beverage into cups for you or your guests. You can usually get about two or three brews from a single set of leaves so when you’re done feel free to add more hot water to make another cup.
Steeping Instructions
The herb is traditionally steeped in hot, not boiling, water between 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range enhances the flavor and health benefits. Use a thermometer for accuracy. Going above or below this range impacts the taste and nutrition but comes down to personal preference. Try different temperatures to find your ideal. Avoid boiled water as it can be dangerous for consumption. Instead, allow boiled water to cool for 10-15 minutes before preparing the herb. The temperature adjusts the strength and bitterness.
Using a French Press
Using a French press is an easy way to prepare the beverage. Add a couple spoonfuls of yerba mate and let it sit a few minutes as it brews. Covering your yerba mate while it’s infusing keeps all the heat in the steeping vessel. Taste after the recommended time and decide if you’d like it to steep longer. The beverage can typically be infused multiple times, revealing more flavor layers each time.
Hydration
Drinking mate isn’t the same as drinking pure water. While mate has benefits, it also has diuretic effects. Adults should drink 2-3 liters of water daily for hydration. Mate can enhance hydration but doesn’t replace daily water intake.
Generally, the herb is steeped in water just off the boil, at a temperature around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit, similar to a green tea. If you don’t have an electric kettle with temperature control, remember that at sea level water simmers at 190 degrees and boils at 212 degrees. The boiling temperature drops about a degree for every 100 feet in altitude increase.
The ideal water temperature is between 150 and 175 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range brings out the full flavor complexity of yerba mate. Water that is too cold doesn’t allow the full richness to develop. Water that is too hot makes the drink overly bitter and harsh. Adjust the temperature based on your preparation method. If steeping in a French press, use hotter water. If steeping in a gourd, use cooler water since the gourd retains more heat.
Also avoid just boiled water, as it can contain harmful compounds. If you fully boil water, allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes before adding to the yerba mate. The water quality also impacts flavor. Spring or filtered water is best to allow the full the infusion flavor to shine through.