Besides the traditional hot mate tea, there is a cold version called tereré. Tereré is a cold-brewed mate ideal to refresh in summer.
Mate Tea Preparation
The tea is a versatile drink with different preparations. The traditional hot, bitter tea is the most common. However, it can be prepared as an infusion, the ‘yerba mate gringo’ style, or cold brewed. Cold brewing involves adding loose leaves to water and allowing to brew 15 minutes before adding ice.
Tereré – Cold Mate Tea
Paraguay is known for tereré, or cold mate. Indigenous communities like Guaraní first cultivated the leaves before European colonization. Tereré is prepared similar to hot mate but uses cold water instead of hot. Herbs or fruits are often added to enhance the flavor.
As tereré grows popular, brands have started selling tereré variations of traditional hot mate. Preparing them is the same besides water temperature and added ingredients.
Mate Plant and Tea Details
The mate plant is related to holly. Its leaves are rich in caffeine, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The tea has an earthy, grassy, woody flavor with hints of fruit. While commonly hot, some drink cold mate tea or just chew the leaves.
Drinking Mate Socially
The beverage is a staple in South America, drunk socially from a hollowed gourd and bombilla straw. Water should be hot but not boiling. The gourd is filled halfway with leaves then gently shaken to bring stems to the bottom before inserting the bombilla. Hot water is slowly poured to saturate leaves. The gourd is passed between drinkers who finish it completely each turn.
Can You Drink Mate Cold?
Mate is traditionally consumed in South America. There is a cold version called tereré. Tereré is ideal to refresh in summer. The tea has nutritional value and health benefits. It can be versatile; drank hot or cold depending on the country, weather, or taste.
A great alternative to tea or coffee, mate gives a caffeine boost. My simple cold brew recipe has lime slices. It’s traditionally consumed in parts of South America including Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile. It’s also popular in Syria and Lebanon. Mate is found in energy drinks and sold bottled or canned.
With an earthy taste and healthy energy boost, mate is a fantastic alternative to coffee. Cold brewing has benefits without compromising flavor.
There’s a ritual around drinking mate traditionally using a filtered straw and hot water. The cup is called a mate. Despite tradition, mate is consumed in various ways today due to health benefits. More research on mate is needed.
It takes three kilos of the plant to create one kilo of mate. It’s generally ready to harvest when four years old but timing depends on climate, region and altitude.
If brewing loose mate, you can add honey, creamer, mint, ginger or orange peel. Adding milk boosts its nutrients.
Where Mate Comes From
Mate comes from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Brazil. Each country harvests and processes it uniquely. Every company cultivates, dries and ages mate differently resulting in brands with distinct tastes, smells and cuts.
Hot vs Cold Mate
What you like in your mate will differ from others. The guidelines of 155-180°F are good, but not absolute. You can test by going below or above. Most people do.
When sharing mate, following traditional customs of passing the gourd and etiquette is important to appreciate the cultural significance.
Mate is brewed from leaves of the plant and has a high caffeine level. The traditional way to enjoy mate is to steep dried leaves in hot water and sip it. It can be served cold or hot. The caffeine can make you feel alert and focused.
Drinking mate seems safe for healthy adults for up to 12 weeks. Studies suggest it may benefit cholesterol, weight loss, heart health, inflammation and cancer risk, but more research is needed.
Your safest bet may be to avoid very hot mate or skip it altogether if concerned over health issues. However, studies show anticancer abilities. Check with your doctor before consuming if you have chronic health problems.
Traditionally, mate is brewed in hollowed gourds according to Guarani methods still followed in South America.
What is a Yerba Mate Drink Called?
One popular way of enjoying mate is to make iced tea, also called tereré. It also can be prepared as a cold-brewed tea or as an infusion, similar to tea. The ‘mate gringo’ refers to the way the drink is enjoyed in North America.
Drinking mate is a social experience that involves sharing with friends, passing the gourd, and following etiquette practices crucial for appreciating its significance.
In Argentina, mate consumption is up to 14 lbs per person yearly in 90% of households. Argentines often drink it for breakfast or before sunset, hot or cold. Mate brings people together beyond just a shared drink.
There are four main components: a gourd, metal straw (bombilla), mate, and hot water. Argentine gauchos take mate breaks ranching cattle. The Guarani tribes first cultivated the Ilex paraguariensis tree, drying leaves and twigs for the drink.
Most mate is enjoyed socially. People get together and share one gourd with one bombilla. The gourd gets passed around creating bonds between them. Continuously sipping all day releases more nutrients.