What Is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is made from the leaves and stems of Ilex paraguariensis, an evergreen tree of the holly family native to the subtropical forests of Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. The leaves are dried, often quickly heated over fire or hot air, aged and cut into the familiar mix of green leaf and stem pieces.
Mate was first drunk by the Guarani people long before the arrival of Europeans, and today it is the national drink of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is drunk from a hollow gourd, also called a mate, through a metal straw with a filter called a bombilla. Sharing one gourd among friends and family, refilled again and again with hot water, is a deep social tradition.
Yerba mate naturally contains caffeine, roughly similar to a cup of coffee, together with theobromine. It has an earthy, grassy and pleasantly bitter flavor, often described as somewhere between green tea and coffee.
Besides the gourd, mate can be brewed in a French press or tea infuser, served cold as terere with ice water or fruit juice, as is popular in Paraguay, or made into a mate latte with milk.
Our yerba mate contains only dried, cut Ilex paraguariensis leaves and stems. It is sold by weight, from small packs to bulk.
How to Use Yerba Mate
- Traditional gourd: Fill the gourd two-thirds with yerba, tilt it, add a little cool water, then insert the bombilla and add hot water at about 160 to 175 F (70 to 80 C). Refill many times.
- French press: Use 1 to 2 tablespoons (about 5 to 8 g) per cup (8 fl oz / 250 ml) of hot, not boiling water. Steep 3 to 5 minutes.
- Terere: Prepare as in the gourd, but use ice water or cold fruit juice.
Safety
Contains caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing, drink in moderation. Avoid drinking mate very hot. Keep out of reach of children.
Read our full guide: How to prepare yerba mate: step-by-step guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Does yerba mate have caffeine?
Yes. Yerba mate naturally contains caffeine, roughly similar to a cup of coffee depending on how it is brewed.
Why should I not use boiling water?
Boiling water makes mate bitter. Water at 160 to 175 F (70 to 80 C) gives the best flavor.
What is terere?
Terere is cold yerba mate, prepared with ice water or fruit juice, popular in Paraguay.
Do I need a gourd and bombilla?
No. You can also brew yerba mate in a French press or tea infuser.
How should I store yerba mate?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from strong odors.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.