Mate (yerba mate) has an earthy, grassy taste with hints of tobacco and oak. Treat it like loose leaf tea – steep in hot water then strain out the leaves before drinking.
When preparing yerba mate, start with 1-2 tablespoons of leaves per 8 oz cup of water. Let steep for 1-3 minutes, adjusting amounts and times to suit your taste. Get 2-3 uses out of the leaves before replacing.
Yerba mate can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with mint, ginger, citrus peel, honey and dairy-free milks.
How to make highly caffeinated yerba mate?
To brew the strongest caffeinated yerba mate, the ideal water temperature is around 160-180°F. This temperature ensures the leaves release their full flavor and caffeine content. Adjust brewing techniques to further enhance the strength.
Some wonder if using a coffee maker for yerba mate is better than the traditional gourd and bombilla. Both have pros and cons. A coffee maker lets you brew mate in bulk, 10+ cups at a time. With a gourd, you drink one mate at a time.
Never use boiling water to brew mate. It makes it too bitter. Use a blend of cool and hot water for awesome taste.
Here’s how to become an expert Cebador and prepare perfect mate every time: Fill the gourd two-thirds with yerba. Shake yerba to side, lay bombilla over leaves, gap between. Pour cool water in gap, allow absorption. Pour in 170 degree hot water. Adjust to taste
Amounts
The amount of yerba mate per cup depends on personal preference. Most people use 2-3 tablespoons of yerba mate per cup. The ratio is around 1-2 tablespoons of yerba mate per cup of water. This proportion balances flavor and strength. Water temperature also matters. To fully extract flavors and benefits, use water heated to 160-180°F.
Despite benefits like vitamins, yerba mate contains caffeine. Drink 2-3 cups at most per day. Europeans termed it “the green gold of the Indigos.”
To brew, add yerba mate to a French press. Add cold water to cover leaves, protecting nutrients. Let sit 2 minutes, then press and pour into cups. You can get 2-3 brews per tea bag or strainer.
Yerba mate varies from person to person. Most people report feeling instantly awake after drinking mate early in the morning. On cold days, yerba mate can warm you up. If you have to stay up late or start your day early, yerba is just what you need to feel alert, clear, and focused.
The ideal water temperature for brewing yerba mate is 160°F. This allows the leaves to release flavor without becoming bitter.
You need yerba mate leaves, a mate gourd or cup, a metal straw or bombilla, and hot water. Optional ingredients are sweetener, lemon or milk. The mate gourd is traditionally made from natural materials like gourd or wood. The metal straw stirs and drinks the yerba mate.