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Top 5 different methods for preparing organic mate

August 14, 2020

Time to read 2 min

Yerba mate, also called mate or mate tea, is an ancient energy drink originating from South America.

Consumed for generations by the Guarani people , it is prepared from the leaves, and sometimes the stems, of the mate plant.

Traditionally brewed in a gourd, it can also be enjoyed like tea.

Discover our 5 infusion methods to prepare your mate , as well as the secrets of its traditional preparation .

Summary

1. Traditional preparation in a calabash 2. Preparation in a biodegradable tea bag 3. Preparation in a tea ball 4. Preparation in a French press 5. As a cold infusion, known as "tereré"

Traditional mate preparation in a calabash

The different types of yerba mate

Preparing yerba mate in a calabash (or mate cup) is a true ceremony. Taking the time to prepare your calabash helps you appreciate the present moment with friends or family.

It's about embarking on a unique and friendly experience of the Argentinian way of life and sharing.

The traditional method remains the best and allows you to drink organic yerba mate in the traditional way, thus experiencing the flavors and benefits of this beverage in a more concentrated form. You will also need to gather a few essential accessories for preparation.

You will need:

A mate gourd , which will serve as a container for your leaves.
A bombilla for mate is a metal straw used to filter the leaves from the water.
A thermos dedicated to mate , ideal for storing and serving water, whether hot or cold.

How to prepare maté in a gourd:

Fill your gourd with yerba mate to about ¾ full.
Tilt the gourd and when the leaves all settle on one side, you can pour in warm or cold water.
Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes so that the leaves soak up the water; this will facilitate the formation of your gourd and prevent the leaves from burning.
The bombilla will act as a filter. Place its head at the bottom of your gourd.
Add your hot water (it should not be boiling) into the hollow space of your preparation.

Your mate is ready!

Steps for preparing a mate in a calabash

Keep your hot water close at hand! Indeed, after drinking all the water from your gourd with your bombilla, add more hot water.
Drink and repeat the procedure, just adding water.

Also, please note that you can keep the same mate in your gourd and drink it throughout the day.
After several dozen infusions (1L to 1.5L of water) , your yerba will no longer have much flavor. This is called "washed" yerba mate.

To learn more about the method of preparing organic yerba mate in a calabash, nothing beats a video:

Natural tea bag preparation

We have developed a range of maté packaged in natural tea bags . The cocido maté (or tea bag) allows you to carry and enjoy your organic beverage anytime.

These tea bags are produced from corn starch and are therefore 100% natural.

The brewing method is the same as for tea bags you're familiar with. The brewing time, however, varies depending on the type of yerba and the desired strength.

We recommend infusing in simmering (not boiling) water for 5 to 10 minutes for moderate intensity and up to 15 minutes if you want a stronger flavor.