Yerba Mate Preparation
“Here’s How To Prepare Yerba Mate“
Yerba mate preparation methods vary, ranging from traditional methods to modern methods utilizing a coffee maker, tea filter or French press.
The traditional yerba mate preparation method involves the use of a special cup made from a gourd. If you choose to use this traditional method, you will need a yerba mate gourd cup. You will also need the traditional bombilla, which is a metal filtered straw used for drinking the yerba mate.
To begin the preparation, place yerba mate leaves in the gourd until it is two-thirds full. Then, move the leaves over to one side of the gourd, creating an empty spot on one side.
Pour just enough cold water into this empty space to moisten the yerba mate leaves, and allow it to sit for several minutes so that the leaves can absorb the water.
Then add hot water to the empty space, steeping the leaves in the water for approximately three minutes. The bombilla can then be used to sip the tea from the gourd. When finished, more water can be added and the process can be repeated.
If you do not have a traditional mate gourd, you can use modern yerba mate preparation methods.
To make yerba mate in a standard coffee maker, place approximately two ounces of the leaves into a coffee filter, and place into the coffee maker. Then, add water to the coffee maker and brew just as you would coffee.
If you have a tea filter ball or a French press, these can also be used to prepare the beverage.
