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Should yerba be bitter?

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This South American herb is naturally bitter due to its high content of tannins and antioxidants. The bitterness also comes from caffeine. Higher-quality leaves tend to be less bitter and more flavorful. Brewing temperature and steeping time impact bitterness. The optimal brewing temperature is 150°F for 5 minutes. This avoids burning the leaves while extracting … Read more

How hot should water be for mate?

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Mate is a tea growing in popularity due to health benefits and bold, rich flavor. Tradition holds that mate tea infuses in hot water and drinks from a gourd. The gourd passes around communally and constantly refills with water. The bombilla straw sips mate while keeping leaves in the gourd. Tereré refers to the cold … Read more