What You’ll Need
Mate is a drink made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It tastes somewhat like green tea, with hints of tobacco and oak. Follow our step-by-step guide to discover the secrets to brewing the perfect cup of mate.
Traditional Method
Get ready to dive into the wonderful world of this South American beverage. Once you’ve tried this method, you’ll never go back to pre-packaged tea bags again.
We share the secrets to always get your mates right! Let’s go through what’s needed to prepare it the traditional way.
- Fill your mate gourd with 3/4 erva.
- Shake your mate and make a “montañita” to create a slope.
- Pour a little cold water to moisten the leaves. This protects the erva from losing nutrients and flavor.
- Insert the bombilla into the lower part of the gourd.
- Gently pour in hot water, not exceeding the gourd’s top.
- Allow it to steep briefly, then enjoy your traditional brew.
Other Preparation Methods
You can also make the herbal infusion like any other tea, using a strainer, tea pot or french press. Simply use 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces of water. Steep 3-5 minutes. Tea bags can help beginners get accustomed to the flavor.
When sharing traditional erva, fill a gourd 2⁄3 with leaves. Tap to one side to create a pit. Moisten with cool water. Insert bombilla into pit. Pour in small sips of 150°F water. Share and enjoy!
- Fill your french press with three spoonfuls of erva.
- Add cold water and make sure it covers all of the leaves.
- Add hot water.
- Let sit for two minutes.
Equipment
Drinking the South American beverage with an actual mate (cup) and bombilla (metal straw) brings drinking mate to a whole new level. Hot water is poured in. It is then sipped through a metal straw, called a bomilla, which has holes in it to let the liquid come through but filters out the leaves.
The traditional method of drinking mate requires delicate care and attention. But in the end, you’re rewarded with a delicious energy-boosting infusion.
Mate Gourd
The first thing you’ll need is a gourd.
Quick Methods
- Put 2-3 teaspoons of the loose-leaf into a strainer, place over a cup, wet with cold water then pour hot water over leaves and through strainer into your favorite mug.
This easy recipe for cold-brewed mate brews in the fridge overnight. It is traditionally consumed in parts of South America.
Ratio
What is the ratio for mate?
For the optimal mate-to-water ratio, use about one tablespoon of loose leaf per cup. This ratio gives the perfect balance of flavor and strength. Consider water temperature effects on the final brew as well.
- Fill a your yerba mate gourd 2⁄3 with loose leaves. Tap to one side creating a pit. Moisten with cool water. Insert a bombilla into the pit. Pour in small sips of 150°F water. Share and enjoy!
Before brewing, put 2-3 teaspoons of loose leaves in a strainer over a cup. Wet with cold water then pour hot water over leaves and through strainer into your mug. Other methods are convenient, easy and fun.