How to brew Uruguayan mate tea: All the information you need to prepare this traditional infusion

Uruguayan mate is much more than a simple beverage, it's a deeply-rooted tradition in Uruguay and also other South American countries, like Argentina.

Thanks to all the Uruguayan immigrants who have moved abroad and took mate along with them, the consumption of this organic infusion has expanded from South America to lots of countries in Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America.

About mate

Uruguayan mate is made from yerba mate. There are numerous options of yerba available in the market (not only different brands but also various types of it: organic yerba, flavored yerba, yerba with stems, stemless yerba, and more). Mate tea is prepared in a vessel that’s also called "mate" and can be made of pumpkin, aluminum, wood, glass, plastic, silicone and other materials. It is consumed through a straw, which also comes in different shapes & sizes.

The preparation process consists of various steps. If you want to learn how to brew a typical Uruguayan mate and wish to enjoy this natural nootropic from the comfort of your home, keep on reading.

How to prepare Uruguayan-style mate

1. Fill ¾ of the mate gourd with yerba.

2. Cover the mouth of the recipient with your hand and gently shake it to remove excess yerba dust. Then, tilt the mate to one side so that all the yerba drops there.

3. Insert the bombilla straw into the empty side of the mate. Make sure it's firmly placed so that the yerba doesn’t block the liquid flow later on  (in other words, so that the straw doesn’t get clogged).

4. Moisten the yerba on the emptier side of the mate with a bit of cold water. This will prevent the leaves from burning when you pour hot water later.

5. Heat the water until it reaches a temperature of 75°C to 80°C. Do not let it boil!

6. Pour hot water over the yerba that’s surrounding the straw. Do not wet all the yerba!

7. Sip through the straw and then refill with hot water.

And there you have it! You can now enjoy authentic mates wherever you are. If you wish to live the full Uruguayan experience, gather with friends or family and share some mates in what’s known as ‘’ronda de mate’’.

If you find mate’s bitter flavor too strong, you can sweeten it up with sugar or sweetener. Some people even customize their mate with herbs (such as lemon, chamomile & mint).

If you want to buy your first mate set and explore the different types of yerba mate available, you can do so through Productos Uruguayos Online. Here you can shop all the Uruguay products that you want and have them delivered anywhere in the world in just a few days.