What is the secret to being energetic every hour of the day in South America? It's simple, and it comes down to one word: mate.
To begin with, mate as we know it has a unique and pleasant taste that is not found in either light green tea or bold black tea. It has a distinctive smoky, toasted flavor with sweet, rustic notes, a hint of bitterness and an irresistibly silky aftertaste.
However, if a word comes up very often, it is undoubtedly bitter . If the taste of mate varies depending on its composition (leaves, stems, etc.), its manufacturing method and its preparation, its bitterness is almost always unanimous!
There are therefore alternatives for a mate with much less bitterness!
- Sweeten your mate
Like you might do with coffee or tea, you can also sweeten your mate (don't do this if you're sharing it with someone, but only with your own calabash/infusion bottle).
So you can put sugar in the well where you pour water. Note that there are other alternatives to sugar, such as adding honey and/or sweeteners. It differs depending on everyone’s tastes!
- Brewing temperature and time
It is important to note that the temperature of the hot water plays an important role in the taste of the drink. The water should be hot, but never boiling.
The ideal temperature is 70-80°C. Beyond that, it becomes bitter. In other words, the higher the water temperature, the more pronounced the bitterness of the drink .
- It is possible to wash Yerba
When preparing your mate, you can simply wash it by adding lukewarm water and spitting the water into the sink (or outside) several times, instead of adding water hot and drink the beverage immediately. This washing therefore eliminates the powder that may be present at the beginning when you receive your mate and reduces its intensity .
- Choose your Yerba wisely
Each yerba is different. These differences are due to a variety of factors, including growing methods, altitude, sun exposure, growing seasons and soil types. These affect the degree of bitterness, the degree of sweetness, and therefore the final taste of the infusion .
If you are looking for a mate sensitive to bitterness, almost non-bitter, we recommend pure leaf mate tea, in particular organic green mate tea or organic mate tea matured between 9 months and 1 year, sometimes up to 2 years for moderate bitterness. Or, if on the contrary you are looking for a more pronounced bitterness, opt for our roasted (or brown) yerba mate.
- The aromas
To soften the taste of your yerba mate by adding a little more flavor and reducing bitterness, you can flavor your drink yourself or buy flavored sachets. There is something for every taste :
Apple and pear mate : delicately tangy and sweet thanks to the delicious mixture of small dried pieces of apple and pear.
Wild fruit mate : a blend of red fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, cherries and even strawberries, with a touch of natural rosehip; its aroma is very sweet, highlighting notes of cherry.
Or simply spearmint mate , which needs no introduction!
In short, how to reduce the bitterness of your mate:
・Sweet (moderately) with honey, maple syrup, spices (cinnamon, anise, etc.) according to preference.
・Lower the temperature or cool your mate to drink it cold.
・Add your favorite flavor to the water or choose a flavored sachet.
Now, it is your turn !
