Description
Brew yerba mate tea three easy ways—tea bags, French press, or the traditional gourd. Clear temps and simple steps for a smooth, balanced cup without bitterness.
Ingredients
Scale
1-2 tsp loose yerba mate OR 1-2 tea bags
8-10 oz hot water (170°F / 75°C) for hot methods
Cool water for pre-wetting leaves
Optional: lemon wedge, fresh mint, maple syrup or honey
Equipment as needed: French press; gourd and bombilla
Instructions
- Tea Bags (3-5 min):1) Place 1-2 tea bags in a mug. 2) Wet with a splash of cool water. 3) Add hot water about 170°F (75°C). 4) Steep 3-5 minutes; remove bags. 5) Adjust with lemon, mint, or a little maple syrup.
- French Press (about 5 min):1) Add 1-2 Tbsp loose yerba mate. 2) Bloom with cool water for 30 seconds. 3) Fill with 70-80°C water; stir gently. 4) Set plunger on top; do not press. 5) After 5 minutes, press slowly and pour immediately.
- Gourd & Bombilla (session brew):1) Fill the gourd two-thirds with loose leaves. 2) Tilt to mound; moisten the lower pit with cool water. 3) Insert the bombilla into the pit. 4) Add small pours of 150°F (65°C) water; sip and refill. 5) Do not stir the bombilla; rotate pours for even extraction.
Notes
Use gentle water (65-80°C) to reduce bitterness. Start mild and adjust leaf amount or time.
Unsweetened cups are about 0 calories; sweeteners add calories. Sensitive to caffeine? Brew cooler and shorter.
For cold brew (terere), publish a separate Recipe card and link it from this article.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drink
- Method: Steep
- Cuisine: South American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 0
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg