Can I make this tea like normal tea?
What is Mate Tea?
This South American tea originates from the heartlands. The leaves produce a traditional drink often compared to green tea. When cold brewed, the leaves make a mellow, less bitter infusion. Terere, as it’s known in Argentina and Paraguay, is simply cold brewed mate. To make cold brew, you’ll need to infuse the leaves in cold water, with added flavors like lemon, lime, or mint. Cold brewing offers a milder, less astringent cup compared to the hot brew method. Some enjoy their cold brew straight up, others add slices of citrus, or transform it into a zesty cocktail.
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Mate is a delicious and energizing beverage enjoyed without a gourd! This traditional South American drink offers numerous health benefits – increased energy, improved digestion, and reduced inflammation. The history dates back to indigenous tribes who used it for medicinal purposes.
I generally use a gourd unless waiting for my gourd to dry out, or making cocido on the stove to drink hot or over ice. Mate tastes delicious iced with juice, called terere. I only buy unsmoked as the smoked types taste gross. If the mate is bitter that’s fine but smoked or barbacua style taste gross. I also add flavor to mate like lemon or mint to both hot and iced. At times I have used honey, and when first drinking mate I would add honey and milk.
Comparison to Matcha
The mate plant is related to the holly whose leaves are drunk much like tea. It has a strong, earthy, bitter taste with a eucalyptus smell. While matcha and mate sound alike, they are different teas. Matcha is a Japanese green tea with a bright color and rich flavor. Mate is native to South America.
Preparing Hot Mate Tea
To make mate, fill your gourd halfway to two-thirds with dried leaves. Carefully hold upside down with hand over opening. Tap or shake so fine, dry, powdery leaves come into your palm.
Cold Brewing Mate Tea
Can this tea be brewed cold?
To make cold brew, you’ll need to infuse the leaves in cold water, often with added flavors. Unlike hot brewing, cold brewing offers a milder, less bitter taste. Some enjoy cold brew straight up, others add citrus or transform it into a cocktail.
To make cold brew:
- Prepare 30 grams of leaves per 1 liter of water
- Add leaves to a container
- Let sit for two minutes
- Add flavors like lemon, lime or mint (optional)
Never use boiling water to brew this tea, as it will be too bitter. Use a blend of cool and hot water instead.
Preparing Cold Mate Tea
To prepare:
- Fill the gourd two-thirds full
- Tilt and shake to one side
- Place filtered straw over the leaves, preserving a gap
- Allow the leaves to absorb the cool water
You can also cold brew in a French press. Simply add leaves and cold water, let sit, then press.
Cold brewed is refreshing. It contains antioxidants and caffeine making it an energizing and nourishing drink.
Tereré – The Cold Version
What is the cold version?
The hot tea is brewed by steeping the dried leaves in hot water. The cold version called tereré, is made by steeping in cold water instead. Tereré is prepared in a large jug, using loose leaf or tea bags. It’s served chilled over ice, sometimes with added fruit juice for extra flavor. Compared to coffee, it provides a less jittery caffeine boost that lasts longer without an energy crash afterwards. It also contains beneficial antioxidants and nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
Traditional Preparation
To prepare the traditional way:
Fill about 3/4 full with leaves. Shake gently to form a mound shape on one side. Slowly add hot water, soaking without washing through. Sip through a metal straw with filter. Refill with hot water to enjoy multiple rounds.
It’s meant to be enjoyed slowly and mindfully with people you care about.