Yerba Mate is a popular tea cultivated from trees in South America. It has a "grassy/earthy" taste. There are varieties of mixtures with different ratios of leaves, stems, and dust. Yerba mate is often aged from 9 to 24 months. The factors of cut and age determine whether the flavor will be bold, mild, green, or smokey. There are also flavored mixes and herbal blends available. You can brew Yerba Mate hot or cold (terere), and even use juice or almond milk instead of water. It brings me happiness to share with you this amazing drink!

Benefits Provides an energizing effect and may aid with focus and clarity.

Less acidic than coffee.

Can be prepared as a hot or cold tea and can be mixed with various flavors and juices.

Adds nutritional value with its health benefits. Nutrients Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B5.

Minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus

Also contains fatty Acids, chlorophyll, flavonols, polyphenols, antioxidants, 15 amino acids.

Energizing theophylline, theobromine, caffeine.

Getting started with yerba mate, the traditional way.

The real way to enjoy hot Yerba Mate tea: A traditional mate gourd and bombilla (pictured right). We need to mix things up in the crowd of ceramic and plastic mugs!

You'll need: A mate gourd

A bombilla (filtered straw)

Dried Yerba Mate Yerba mate is considered a social drink in South America, much like coffee in the U.S. It can be enjoyed however you see fit, but the traditional way is to fill a mate gourd about 1/4 - 3/4 full, add cold water to soak the leaves, then add hot water and sip the drink through a metal "bombilla" straw that filters the leaves.

Supplies

Online

For imported Yerba Mate in the United States, I recommend Itapua Trading's Yerba Mate website owned by Rick in Georgia. Rick has extensive knowlege about Yerba Mate through his travels to South America and assists with excellent customer service. You can order bulk supplies, or even small samples if you just want to try a new brand out. They also have a "deal of the day." Check out his store at:

Another one of my favorites is Guayaki brand yerba mate. They have organic yerba mate, and many different roast styles, flavores, and mixes to choose from.

Local

I have found the most popular imported yerba mate tea brands at my local asian/import market in the South American food sections. This is a great place to check if you don't want to order online.

Reviews

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Rosamonte

Cruz De Malta

Selecta Premium

Canarias

Guayaki - Lemon Elation

Guayaki - Enlightenmint

Guayaki - Classic Gold

Taylor Tonics - Mate Mojito

Club Mate

Recipes

Easy Terere Brewing

Cold Terere is easy to make in a mason jar. Just add your favorite dry mate into the jar. I put 1 Cup of dry mate in and fill the rest up with cold water. Parajito and Rosamonte are my favorite brands for making Terere. Shake it all up and refrigerate for about 12 hours. Filter the leaves from the finished brew through a screen into another mason jar for storage.

Creamy Terere

In a 6-cup blender, combine:

*1 1/2 cups almond milk *3 cups terere (I brewed mine dark with 1 cup of Rosamonte Yerba Mate) *3 TBSP Raw honey (adjust to your taste preference) *1 Tsp Vanilla Extract *1 Tsp raspberry extract (optional) *Fill the rest of the blender up with ice

Blend until completely mixed, and serve.

Fruit Terere Smoothie

In a 6-cup blender, combine:

*3 Cups Terere (cold brewed with 1 cup dry Rosamonte 12 hours) *1 - 12oz bag frozen mixed berries *4 TBSP Raw Honey

Blend until mixed into a smooth consistency.

Simple Terere Half and Half

Brew and combine yerba mate tea with lemonade

*1 QT strong brewed Yerba Mate tea *Add fresh Ginger Juice *Add honey for a sweeter taste if desired

Mix your 1 QT of yerba mate tea with 2 QTs of Lemonade.

More detailed study information can be found in this Yerba Mate Journal of Food Science Article.