The herbal tea is a tea-like infusion made from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub native to northeastern Argentina and neighboring countries. It contains caffeine and antioxidants. Indigenous peoples like the Guarani were the first to consume the herbal tea.
The herbal tea is important to Argentine national identity. Surveys show 38% of Argentines feel it is the top symbol of their culture. Argentines consume up to 14 pounds of yerba mate per person yearly. Over 90% of households always have it on hand.
The herbal tea is usually served communally. One person, the cebador, prepares the infusion by pouring hot water into a gourd filled with dry leaves. Then each person takes sips through a metal straw. This tradition of sharing creates bonds between friends and family.
The ritual of preparing, serving and drinking the herbal tea together transcends borders across many South American countries. It represents a custom that goes back centuries, tying modern life to ancestral roots.
Yerba mate preparation:
1) Fill your mate gourd with 3/4 of leaves.
2) Shake your mate and gather the leaves to the side.
3) Place metal straw with filter down to preserve a gap.
Brewing tips:
- Use 170°F water.
- Share the herbal tea with friends.
Enjoy earthy, smooth yerbal tea!
Mate is a bitter drink made from the herbal tea served in a small gourd with a straw. The person who prepared the mate serves it by pouring the hot water. You give the cup back to that person when finished. With more than 2 people, there is a drinking order that must be maintained. Normally you don’t say anything when receiving the mate.
The ideal brewing temperature for the herbal tea is approximately 170°F (77°C); using boiling water will produce a bitter, inferior beverage.
Heat water to 70 or 80oC – do not let it boil. Fill 3⁄4 of the Mate container with herb. Cover the container with your hand, turn it upside down, shake it lightly to mix the elements.
Using boiling water with the herbal tea, you will get a bitter, flavorless and over infused drink. The best water temperature for yerba mate is anywhere between 68 and 80°C.
Brewing a proper mate starts with the basic ingredient: the yerba mate. I encourage you to try and break through the first barrier of bitterness and take advantage of the whole range of benefits offered by drinking the infusion of inconspicuous leaves and twigs of Paraguayan holly.