What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is a tea made from the leaves of a South American tree. It has caffeine and antioxidants. It boosts energy without causing jitters. It may also have anti-inflammatory properties, which are good for heart health and reducing cancer risk.
Preparing Yerba Mate
To make the herbal drink, first gather a gourd and bombilla (metal straw with holes to filter out leaves). Put the bombilla in the gourd. Add yerba mate leaves and shake gently to make space under leaves. Pour hot (not boiling) water slowly. The leaves infuse to make the tea. Sip through the bombilla.
Drinking Yerba Mate
Traditionally, the South American beverage is drunk continuously throughout the day by adding more hot water and leaves as needed. This method captures the rich culture around it in South America. You can also make it one cup at a time. Add honey or cream if desired. Brewing it in a French press with mint, ginger or orange is delicious too.
South Americans safely drink 1-4 liters of it per day. In North America and Europe, avid drinkers consume at least 1-2 liters daily. More leaves or longer steeping makes stronger brew. You can also prepare mate cocido by steeping leaves in boiling water a few minutes.
Drinking from a traditional gourd and bombilla is special. Leaves go in the mate (gourd) then hot water is poured in slowly. Sipping through the bombilla prevents drinking the leaves. Modern mates come in glass, metal or other materials. Bombillas filter the liquid while leaving leaves behind.