Yerba mate has been gaining popularity for a long time. It provides an incredible dose of energy and can wake up at such a difficult time as mornings. But how to brew it properly? What is needed for this process?
The polonized name is yerba mate, a plant growing in South America. Depending on where it is grown, it is divided into several types: Paraguayan with deep flavor, Argentinean suitable for yerba mate Terere, Brazilian mild, etc. The infusion is prepared from harvested and dried leaves and brewed in a vessel called calabash or matero with a special straw called bombilla. Knowing the most important information, we can move on.
Making yerba mate is very simple. We pour into a traditional yerba mate mug (in fact, a regular mug is enough) the dried material, usually from ⅓ to ½ of the container’s volume. The more we add, the stronger the yerba will be, with a stronger note of bitterness, so if you are just starting out with this type of tea, it is a good idea to add less. Then, we pour the finer parts of the leaves and dust to the bottom of the container (to keep them away from the bombilla). Holding the cup at an angle, pour in some water and wait until all the liquid is absorbed into the dry, kneading it with the bombilla.
With the bombilla in the middle, we pour warm or cold water (free choice). It is important that it is not boiling water. The ideal temperature will be 80℃. If the temperature is too high, you will notice an unpleasant bitterness in the brew. Yerba mate Terere is poured with cold water. After a few minutes of such brewing, the drink will be ready for consumption.
It is suitable for people who don’t like coffee enough or prefer something stronger and healthier. Yerba mate is an energy boost thanks to the caffeine it contains, but it also contains a number of beneficial properties and provides vitamins and minerals, while coffee washes them out of your body. It should not be drunk on an empty stomach. It can be served with different additives such as lemon or mint.
Yerba mate is associated with characteristic utensils. The bombilla is indispensable when drinking it. It is a straw ending in a strainer, thanks to which it prevents dust and leaves from being sucked in. Otherwise we will not enjoy drinking this type of tea. At the beginning, we can do without a special cup (calabash or matero) until we decide otherwise.
The prepared yerba mate infusion can be reflooded, this is not a bad thing. Apparently, it is only with the next refilling that its valuable properties are released. The infusion should be poured with warm or cold water until it has completely lost its flavor, usually from 4 to 6 pours. Do not be afraid to overdo the caffeine either; subsequent infusions will have much less of it.
See also: Is coca cola healthy?
Preparing yerba mate is not complicated. All you need is a bombilla and a regular mug. Pour water over the dry matter (hot or cold), wait for it to brew and you are done. Yerba mate is a perfect dose of energy for the whole day, it is also healthy and you can drink it every day. It will perfectly replace coffee.
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