A handful of mate, add the herb into a frenchpress, teapot, or traditional mate gourd, then add hot water (or make it cold), wait a few minutes, then enjoy. That’s all you need to start drinking yerba mate, especially if you’re a beginner.
Mate cups come in all shapes, sizes, and materials: from bone to silicone, wood to ceramic, glass, metal and gourd. Grab yourself a handful of mate leaves, add the herb into a frenchpress, teapot, or traditional mate gourd, then add hot water (or make it cold), wait a few minutes, then enjoy.
By the time you’re done reading this post, you’ll know exactly how to prepare mate and can finally start impressing your friends and family with a perfectly prepared gourd of mate. The traditional method requires delicate care. But you’re rewarded with a delicious energy-boosting infusion.
What is the traditional way to drink mate?
The traditional way to drink it involves only a few components: a gourd (confusingly called a mate in Spanish), a metal straw (or bombilla), a bag of mate leaves, and a thermos of hot water. All you have to do is put a heaping pile of mate leaves into the gourd, add some hot water, and sip through the straw.
The most common way of drinking mate is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients from the mate.
What is the best mate for beginners?
When starting out with mate, it’s best to choose a brand with a smooth, mild flavor. The mate should have finely ground leaves that don’t contain too many twigs or stems. This will allow for a better tasting tea.
Some good options for beginners include Playadito and Piporé. Both are Argentinian brands that produce high quality teas with well-balanced flavors.
What is the best way to brew mate?
Start by filling the gourd half full with mate leaves. Shake the gourd to settle the leaves evenly on one side. Insert the bombilla into the empty space. Heat water to 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit, not boiling. Slowly pour a small amount of water into the mate leaves, just enough to moisten the leaves. Let this sit for 30 seconds to allow the leaves to absorb the water.
You can also brew mate using other vessels like a French press, tea pot or tea balls instead of the traditional gourd. Just follow the same method of moistening the leaves first before adding the rest of the hot water.
Some enjoy mate iced by cold brewing or cooling hot mate. You can also mix in other herbs for different flavors. Play around with brewing methods and ingredients until you find your perfect cup!