Who needs coffee and all its side effects when there's Mate. Yerba Mate is common in South America and also Syria and Lebanon. There is an entire ritual based around its drinking, it's just slightly more complicated than puff puff pass... Read about it here on wikipedia.
Like any drink in its category, green tea, coffee, etc. it takes a little getting used to. These drinks grow on you, and you learn to love the subtle bitter flavors that each drink provides. When I finally decide to drop that $400 on an espresso machine I might start enjoying coffee more frequently at home. Until then I've think I've found a cheaper alternative with even more benefits.
Mate is a stimulant, much like coffee. But it does not have the side effects such as the jitterynes or diuretic properties of coffee. It does contain caffeine. It also contains many antioxidants similar to green tea, perhaps even more than green tea. Mate is also easier on your stomach than coffee and better for your smile : )
Now on to the iced mate. In NY at the moment it is quite hot, and my A/C doesn't work. The last thing I want is a hot beverage. I bought a 500g (1.1 lb) bag of Yerba Mate for $3 and started experimenting. The first batch was made with boiling water and was noticeably more bitter than the second batch which was made with hot water.
Directions:
- Add 3 tablespoons of Yerba Mate to french press (any brewing method will work)
- Add hot (not boiling) water
- Let steep for 5 min
- Pour a little less than half a glass
- Add sugar or sweeta
- Add a decent amount of water
- Add ice to chill
- Serve like iced tea
Very simple, and you can make a batch of it like iced tea and keep it in the fridge. You can also re-use the yerba (grounds) many times and they will continue to make a good drink. Mate is unlike tea in this sense in that it will not make the drink bitter if steeped too long.
For more information see wikipedia on yerba mate.
Here's the stuff they grind up and we drink. Because he can carry that all by himself we only pay 2.50 a pound...
While we are talking about drinks. Try this licorice mint tea it is one of my favorites.
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1 comment:
Mate steeps in cold water too, so you don't have to steep it in hot water first. enjoy!
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