Yerba mate is used to prepare mate, a traditional South American drink with an intense, herbal flavour. Discover it through a simple infusion in a cup or explore the traditional ritual with a mate vessel and bombilla.
What is yerba mate?
Yerba mate is made from the dried, processed leaves of Ilex paraguariensis. Depending on the processing method and type, the product may also contain fragments of young stems.
The word yerba refers to the product used for brewing, while mate can mean both the drink and the vessel in which it is prepared.
The origins and ritual of mate
The use of yerba mate is rooted in Guaraní tradition. In Argentina, mate is part of everyday life and can be enjoyed individually or shared: one person prepares the drink and pours the water, serving each person in turn.
Repeatedly adding water to the same yerba is a distinctive feature of this ritual, unlike preparing a single strained cup.
What does yerba mate taste like?
La Via del Tè’s yerba mate has an intense, lingering herbal flavour, with woody and woodland notes. To discover its character, try tasting it without any additions first.
How to brew yerba mate in a cup
To prepare a cup of Yerba Mate, use:
- 3.5 g of yerba mate
- 200 ml of water at 90°C
- 5 minutes of steeping
- Place the yerba mate in an infuser or brewing vessel.
- Pour over the water at the recommended temperature.
- Steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the infuser or strain the drink, then serve.
These instructions apply to our product brewed in a cup.
How is traditional mate prepared with a bombilla?
A bombilla is a filtering straw that allows you to drink directly from the vessel while keeping the yerba inside. The traditional method uses a larger quantity of yerba, with water added repeatedly.
For the traditional Argentine preparation:
- Fill the vessel about three-quarters full with yerba mate.
- Cover the opening with your hand, tilt and shake gently. Return the vessel to an upright position, leaving the yerba sloping to form a hollow on one side.
- Pour a little lukewarm water into the hollow and wait a few seconds.
- Insert the bombilla into the moistened area.
- Add small amounts of water at 75–80°C beside the bombilla, avoiding wetting the entire surface straight away. Repeat as you enjoy the drink.
These instructions follow the traditional method described by Argentina’s Instituto Nacional de la Yerba Mate. The quantities and temperature differ from those used for brewing in a cup above.>
Which yerba mate should you choose to get started?
To try brewing it in a cup, discover our loose yerba mate in a 40 g resealable bag. The product page includes ingredients, flavour characteristics and brewing instructions.
