Description
Cruz de Malta is a traditional yerba mate from Argentina. This mate is 100% natural and clean. It strikes a perfect balance between too light and too bitter. Cruz boasts an earthy flavor with woodsy and bready notes, while having natural sweetness.
When brewing, it has an interesting aroma, reminiscent of leafy vegetables. The taste stays consistent. It has one of the longest drink durations of any yerba mate.
Taste Profile
The taste profile is earthy, woody, mild and soft. It’s a great choice for beginners.
Brewing Instructions
To prepare, fill 2/3 of the mate gourd with yerba mate. Tilt the gourd until the tea covers the sides. Pour a splash of warm water on the leaves and wait a few seconds before removing the water. Place a straw into the gourd and fill with 80 C hot water. You can re-brew up to 4-5 times. Enjoy!
Yerba mate is a tea made from the leaves of a South American plant. It has a bold, rich flavor.
Flavor
Mate tastes similar to green tea with hints of tobacco and oak. It contains caffeine and antioxidants.
Preparation Methods
There are several ways to prepare yerba mate:
- Gourd and Bombilla: Yerba mate is traditionally drunk from a gourd using a metal straw with a filter called a bombilla. The gourd is filled about three quarters full with the dried leaves then hot water (not boiling) is added. The tea is then sipped through the bombilla.
- Tea Bags: Mate can also be found in tea bags which is more convenient but likely milder in flavor.
- Loose Leaf Tea Style: The easiest way to prepare yerba mate is to treat it like any other loose leaf tea. Simply add it to hot water, let it steep then strain out the leaves before drinking. Avoid using boiling water, which makes the tea taste bitter.
To prepare yerba mate loose leaf style:
| Amount | Water Temperature | Steep Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 tablespoons per 8 oz water | 170°F | 5 minutes |
Social Culture
Sharing mate is popular in social settings in South America. Friends gather and pass around the gourd, refilling it with hot water from a thermos.
Yerba mate was first cultivated and used by the indigenous Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization.