Equipment Needed
Look for a rubber cup with a wide opening. This will make pouring easier. Hold the cup at an angle when pouring water to prevent splashing.
What is Yerba Mate?
The mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves in hot water. It has hints of tobacco and oak.
Step-by-Step Guide
Here is a step-by-step guide on preparing the mate:
1) Fill 3/4 of your mate gourd with leaves
2) Shake the gourd to make a “montañita”
3) Pour warm water to soak leaves
4) Insert the bombilla
5) Serve your first mate
You can also make the beverage using tea bags, a French press or other infusers. The traditional gourd and bombilla will produce the strongest flavor. Brew at 80-100 F.
Regional Differences
The flavor varies by region due to differences in soil quality affecting alkaloid and xanthene levels. The amount of xanthene alkaloids is believed to directly relate to the soil quality.
Traditional Preparation
To prepare traditionally, you need a gourd, bombilla (metal straw), loose leaf and hot water. Fill gourd with leaves, pour room temperature water over and let saturate one minute before adding 160-170°F water. Let steep 5+ minutes before serving through bombilla.
Mate Cups
The mate cup is traditionally an actual gourd. You can also use a vessel made from ceramic or wood, often painted decoratively. The cup is called a mate. The is drunk with friends using a Bombilla, a special silver straw, also called a bomba or bombija. The gourd is known as a mate or guampa.
Rubber Mate Cups
For a rubber mate cup, look for high-quality rubber to ensure durability and prevent flavors from seeping into the drink. Opt for a cup with a wide opening to make pouring water and cleaning easier.
When pouring water into the rubber cup, hold the cup at an angle to prevent splashing. Cover the top of the gourd and shake 2-3 times to remove the polvo that can clog the bombilla.