How to Make Yerba Mate (Two Ways)
You can make yerba mate two ways: the traditional way, or the fast way, using a tea infuser. The traditional method for making mate is the classic, and is very well suited for communal drinking. If you want a preparation method similar to traditional tea, you can add loose tea leaves to any tea infuser or teapot. You can also buy tea bags with yerba mate or make it into iced tea.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
Traditional Preparation Method
- Loose yerba mate leaves
- A gourd called a “mate” Traditionally made from a hollowed-out gourd. You can now buy metal, glass, silicone, or ceramic gourds.
- A metal straw called a “bombilla” Made of stainless steel. These have a filter, which strains out the leaves as you drink.
Tea Infuser Method
- Tea infuser
- Cup
- Teapot
Instructions
Traditional Preparation Method
- Place the dried yerba mate leaves in a gourd. Fill the gourd about half full of yerba mate.
- Pour lukewarm water into the gourd until half full. Then wait about one minute for it to be absorbed.
- Heat water to just below boiling temperature. Pour it into the gourd to fill.
- Put the bombilla into the gourd and press it down to the bottom.
- Sip the tea through the straw, adding more hot water until the leaves lose their flavor.
Tea Infuser Method
- Heat the water until hot but not boiling.
- Fill the tea infuser with yerba. Rinse it with a couple of tablespoons of cold water to dampen it and reduce any bitterness.
- Put the infuser in a cup or teapot and pour in hot water.
- Let the tea steep for about five minutes.
- Remove the infuser and enjoy your hot beverage.