Yerba mate is a stimulating plant from South America, with a strong flavour and a slightly bitter taste. It can be brewed in the traditional way or like tea. How to prepare a good mate? How long should it be brewed? Kusmi Tea will guide you step by step.
Discover the Kusmi Tea organic mate range, which includes our best sellers:
• BB Detox: a blend of green tea, mate and grapefruit
• Blue Detox: a blend of green tea, mate and pineapple
• Detox: blend of green tea, mate and lemon
• Boost: a blend of green tea, mate and ginger
The traditional preparation of yerba mate in 5 steps
In order to follow the traditional method of preparing mate, you need a calabash and a bombilla. In Argentina, the calabash is a dry, hollow gourd used as a container. There are also wooden maté pots in various shapes. The bombilla is used as a filtering straw.
Below are the 5 steps to making your best mate and tips on brewing time!
1. Strain the calabash
Place the mate leaves in the container, add hot water and leave to infuse overnight. The next day, drain the water and collect the leaves to dry. Scrape the bottom of the calabash with a spoon to remove any residue. Dry it upside down.
2. Fill it with yerba mate leaves
Fill the calabash ¾ full with yerba mate, then shake it by covering the top with your hand. Discard the powdery deposit collected.
3. Leave the leaves to infuse
Tilt the calabash on one side to form a well, add cold water. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes.
4. Insert the bombilla
Put the bombilla in the bottom of the well and pack the leaves. Do not touch your filter again.
5. Pour in the hot water and enjoy your drink
Pour hot water, between 70°C and 80°C, through the bombilla. Be careful not to serve the water boiling as this may burn the leaves. Leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. All you have to do is enjoy your mate with the straw of the bombilla throughout the day! The infusion time obviously depends on the taste you want to give your drink.
Good to know: the hotter the water, the more bitter your mate will be. That's why it's recommended not to serve it boiling.
Infusion: How many times can I infuse yerba mate?
Kusmi advises you to drink your mate during the same day. You can reinfuse it about ten times. After that, it will denature and you will notice its very bitter taste.
Mate is a good alternative to tea or coffee and allows you to bring a little novelty and exoticism to your day by varying the pleasures.
In the shop and on the website, several varieties of mate made in Normandy from organic farming are offered. We make it a point of honour to respect our commitment to sustainable development through our actions.
What if I want to prepare yerba mate differently? Our preparation ideas
You can prepare a quality mate in an original way. Here are some ideas!
Mate cocido
Want to drink mate the Spanish way? It's easy, just proceed as with a classic tea, using a strainer or a tea ball.
The little extra:
Moisten the mate with cold water so that it retains all its flavours. Then pour in the hot water and leave to infuse for 5 minutes.
Gringo style
This is a stylish method! It is a mix between the traditional and Spanish preparation:
• Pour the mate into a large cup;
• ½ cup of hot water
• Add cold water;
• Place the bombilla in the cup;
• Add hot water;
• Leave to infuse for 8 minutes.
Mate terere
The cool version for a Paraguayan summer:
• Put 4 spoons of mate in a coffee pot;
• Pour 1 litre of simmering water;
• Brew for 5 to 8 minutes;
• Strain and let the drink cool;
• Add lemon juice or honey for flavour and enjoy!
It is possible to prepare a good yerba mate while preserving the flavours! Be original by varying the methods, but above all, respect the infusion time and the temperature of the water. Drink it hot or cold as you wish! Nothing is lost in mate, it can be reinfused all day long. It's a great way to replace tea or coffee while enjoying the many benefits of this plant. So would you like to go to Argentina?
Read also on the same theme :
Can we drink mate in the evening?