Maté is a plant native to South America. Its caffeinated leaves are brewed into a tea-like drink popular in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The South American tea can be enjoyed hot or cold. To make cold maté, first brew a hot concentrate then let it cool. Flavor with lemon, lime, mint or honey.
The traditional way to drink the caffeinated beverage is to share a gourd filled with the tea in a circle of friends. The leaves are brewed multiple times, with hot water added continually.
Maté is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It has numerous potential health benefits.
Instructions
- Use 7 teaspoons of maté leaves per 4 cups of water
- Heat water to 190°F then remove from heat
- Add maté and let steep 15+ minutes
- Strain and chill
Ingredients
- Maté
- Cold water
- Hot, but not boiling, water
There are many ways to brew and enjoy maté tea. Try different maté products and different brewing methods to discover your personal favorites!
Maté is a plant found in South America. Its leaves are used to make a caffeinated drink. This drink is popular in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. The indigenous peoples of Paraguay and Brazil first made this drink. They considered it a drink "from the gods" that gives physical strength. The best maté grows wild without chemicals. Organic maté is healthier and tastes better.
To make cold maté, called tereré, the leaves are brewed with ice-cold water instead of hot water. Tereré is the traditional Paraguayan iced version.
Drinking maté tea is a very social activity in South America. Sharing it represents friendship and hospitality. The tea is served in a hollowed gourd with a metal straw and filter. This is used to strain out the leaves and stems while drinking.
Maté has caffeine to boost energy. But it also has antioxidants that provide health benefits. Antioxidants protect cells from damage and disease. So maté gives an energy kick while also being good for overall health.
In a French press or strainer, put in 1 to 2 tablespoons of yerba mate. Moisten the herb with room temperature water. Include 8 ounces of water that is 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep for five minutes before straining. Flavor to taste.
How do you make yerba mate tea taste better? If you want your tea to have a superior flavor, use filtered water whenever you can.
Does yerba mate tea need a gourd?
Yerba mate (maté), is a species of the Holly Family (Aquifoliaceae), native to subtropical South America. The plant is harvested and brewed similar to tea, to make a specialty beverage popular throughout South America.