Yerba Mate Tea Health Benefits

HappyGaucho.com offers Yerba Mate supplies for your enjoyment both the traditional way (recommended for hard-core Yerba Mate-Heads). As well as the modern or speedier approach of enjoying yerba mate as a tea from a tea bag.

Why do I need to cure my gourd? (This is especially for you Mr. & Ms. Impatient)

#1 Reason: Flavor and Enjoyment!

The Mate Gourd is cured beginning immediately when you receive it (you won’t want to wait for the good energy) by combining warm water and teaspoon of salt and allowing to soak for 24 hours.

On the 2nd day empty the saltwater and combine Yerba (herbs) with warm water and allow to sit for an additional 24 hours.

Repeat this 2nd step 1 more Time.

You may be dying of anticipation at this point. Don’t give in, your gourd needs a little more lovin’.

On the 3rd day you will notice that the inside of your mate is beginning to show a dark green color.

Now your Mate is ready to go.

The more you use your yerba mate gourd the more this color will darken and enhance your Mate’s flavor as it develops a taste of its own.

Yerba Mate Care:

First and foremost never wash your Mate in the dishwasher or with soap as it can destroy your gourd and affect your tasting experience.

Always wash with cold water and let dry upside down if possible in a dry place.

The bombilla (straw) should be washed before and after each use. Pipe cleaners can be used to wash the inside (or an unbent paperclip) and small picks (or a safety pin) can be used to unblock filter holes. We recommend the disarmable bombillas as these offer the easier access for cleaning

Use is recommended for mornings and afternoons

Traditional Preparation Instructions (step by step)

1. Prepare by filling a teakettle with an amount of water ample enough to fill your thermos, usually 1 liter, and then place on the stove at maximum temperature until boiling.
2. Remove the kettle and fill your thermos to maintain the high temperature, which is essential to experience the full flavors and fusing process. Allow to sit for several minutes so that you don’t burn yourself when you drink it.
3. Fill the Mate 2/3 to 3/4 full with the Yerba Tea Leaves.
4. Tip your Mate to the side so that the herbs sit on a slope.
5. Maintaining a dry peak on your slope sustains the flavor over the next few hours.
6. Fill the low side of the slope with warm water almost to the top while keeping the top of the slope dry.
7. Let it sit for 1 minute.
8. Fill almost to the top again with your HOT water and let sit for a few more minutes. This allows the herbs time to fuse with the hot water and expand. If you do not allow the tea, time to hydrate, it can cause the filter to clog with dry leaves or can allow the crushed yerba mate herbs to be pulled through easier.
9. Repeat this process until the water does not settle anymore.
10. Now you can insert the bombilla by pushing the backside of the filter down along the side of the mate with the water. Cover the mouthpiece with your thumb to avoid allowing yerba into the filter. Push all the way to the bottom with the filter against the side of your gourd until the bombilla shaft is vertical.
11. Now place your lips around the straw as you would a normal straw and do not curl your lips in, as it is easier to burn them that way.
12. Enjoy with Caution: Drink at your own pace the water can be extremely HOT !! You will become accustomed to the pace you can drink very soon.
13. Drink until the water is finished then refill and drink to your satisfaction.
14. During your first few days drink in smaller amounts, as you will realize your body goes through a purifying process.

Mate is traditionally served with hot water, however cold water or milk with sugar is also a serving possibility especially with small children. But beware drinking Mate with milk will not aid in any weight loss.