What can you add to maté to make it taste better?
Maté is a species of the holly genus (Ilex), used to make a beverage known as mate. Experiment with flavors like lemon, mint, or honey. A dollop of honey and splash of creamer enhance the taste. Adding herbs like mint leaves or lemongrass provide flavor and health benefits.
Prepare the South American brew in a french press with 3 spoonfuls leaves. Add cold water covering leaves, then 80-100°F hot water. Let sit 2 minutes. You can also use tea bags, though they tend to be milder.
The plant has an earthy, woodsy, or grassy taste. Many describe this as the taste of green or pu-erh tea. Some enjoy this grassy taste, while others prefer adding lemon, honey, or milk to tone it down. The taste makes the mouth feel dry or puckery due to the tannins.
With an array of tastes, it has gained popularity for its flavors. From tangy citrus to refreshing berries combined with its distinctive earthy flavor, it has something to suit everyone’s palate.
The taste depends on the brand. Let’s look at the profiles.
- Bitter – Thanks to the tannins.
- Smokey – Some brands have a smokey profile.
If you want the best flavor, Mate Factor’s Natural Energy Drink Mix is made with organic ingredients like maté, guarana and acai berry. It’s refreshing and perfect for any time.
To elevate your tea experience, indulge in delightful drink recipes. We will explore iced maté, perfect for warmer days.
Learning to brew iced tea is easy. Add loose-leaf maté to a french press or pot with strainer, add cold water, and allow to brew 15 minutes. You can also hot brew first, then cool in fridge before adding ice. If too bitter, add a natural sweetener which cuts through bitterness.
Mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat earthy, grassy, herby, and slightly bitter. The flavor can be overwhelming at first, but becomes enjoyable over time.
To brew mate, moisten the leaves with cool water first. Then add 170F hot water, not boiling. Steep for 5 minutes max. The taste depends on the harvest time, processing method, age of the leaves, and the proportion of stems ground with the leaves. More stems makes mate taste lighter and sweeter.
Drinking mate is often a social tradition, with the gourd and bombilla straw passed between people.
You want to make the switch, but you also want your morning drink to taste amazing. You don’t want to have to add a ton of sugar, which would cancel out the benefits you seek from it in the first place. It’s not complicated to make a healthy cup that tastes great, too. Whether you’re using loose leaves or tea bags, it’s important to follow three simple rules whenever you brew it:
- Moisten the leaves with cool water first.
- Never use boiling water—170F is ideal.
- Steep for five minutes max.
The plant is harvested and brewed similar to tea, to make a specialty beverage popular throughout South America.