The drink is made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant.The rejuvenation qualities of yerba mate were discovered by the Guarani Indians of South America and are now enjoyed in many countries.It has hints of tobacco and oak.If you want to treat yerba mate like any other loose tea, steep it in hot water and then filter out the leaves before drinking.The ideal brew temperature for yerba mate is 170F( 77C); boiling water will produce a bitter, inferior beverage.In order to enjoy mate in the traditional way, you must prepare it properly.
Step 1: Obtain a bombilla.
A mate is traditionally served in a hollow calabash gourd and drunk through a metal straw.mate cups are made from metal, ceramic or wood.You can use a regular teacup, but you will definitely need the bombilla.If a gourd is being used for the first time, it's a good idea to cure it or at least have a few drinks from it.The soft inner tissues of the gourd are removed with the help of curing.If there is no metal rim, fill the gourd with boiling water and let it sit for 10 minutes.Remove the stem from the center of the gourd with a metal spoon under running water.Put the cleaned-out gourd in the sun for a day or two to dry.
Step 2: The yerba mate should be put into the gourd just over half full.
Step 3: Turn the half-filled gourd upside-down by placing your hand on the top.
Take the powdery leaves and shake them to the top of the pumpkin.You don't want to suck in the leaves through the bombilla.
Step 4: Give the gourd several light shakes by turning it completely on its side.
The larger stems will be brought to the surface by this action.The yerba mate is in a pile on the other side of the gourd.
Step 5: The bombilla should be inserted into the pumpkin.
It is a matter of personal or cultural preference if you add cool water before or after the bombilla.The cool water will help preserve the integrity of the mate.The bombilla should be in the empty space next to the pile.The bombilla should be placed against the wall as far from the powdery tip of the pile as possible.Wait for the cold water to reach the top of the pile and then add it to the empty space.The powdery tip of the pile needs to be dry.Wait for the cool water to reach the top of the pile before pouring it into the empty space.The packing helps the mate remain in this shape later on.The bombilla should be placed against the wall as far from the powdery tip of the pile as possible.
Step 6: As you did with the cool water, put hot water into the empty space.
It is important to use hot water as boiling water will make the mate bitter.
Step 7: You can drink from the bombilla.
The bombilla is jiggled by newcomers to mate.If you don't resist, you'll end up with a bombilla and herb in the straw.Don't just take a small sip and pass it back, drink the entire mate when it's handed to you.You should hear a similar sound when drinking soda.The person who prepares the mate takes the first brew in a group.If you are the server, drink the mate until there is no water left, then refill the gourd with hot water and pass it to the next person, sharing the same bombilla.One brew per person until it loses its flavor, which is called lavado in Spanish, because the flavor is "washed out"; it should take ten refills, more or less, depending on the quality of the mate.To fully extract the flavor, the mound can be pushed to the opposite side of the gourd and refilled a few more times.Give thanks to "el cebador" (the server) if you want to signal that you don't want any more mates.After your last mate, remember to give thanks.You don't want anymore if you give thanks.
Step 8: After you're done cleaning the gourd, leave it out to dry.
Your mate will taste differently if the containers are made from organic materials.
Step 9: The flavor may be different than with the traditional technique, but the following preparation options are convenient.
If you want to get a similar flavor, you should try the traditional preparation and experiment with the methods below.A mixture of herbs and a cured cow horn is used to make the yerba mate in Paraguay."Terere" is the preparation.In Argentina, mate is sold in teabag form so that it can be steeped like other teas, but not in boiling water.
Step 10: The mate can be prepared with a coffee press.
You can see how to use a French press.A standard automatic coffee maker can be used to make mate.You would normally put the coffee grounds in the mate.
Step 11: If you don't like the taste of the Yerba Mate, you can swap it for desiccated coconut and add warm milk.