i'm really interested in yerba mate, but so far all i've tried are a couple of flavored blends from teavana--"mate lemon blast" and "mate vana." i tried those first because i heard mate could be a little lacking in the flavor department, but i think i might like to try some plain and mix mint or something in on my own to taste.
anybody have suggestions for where i could find the best yerba mate online, or how you prefer to drink it?
Yerba mate is definately not lacking in flavor, it's just that Americans don't like the flavor. It is an acquired taste for most people. If you don't like it at first, try it with honey. I didn't like it untill I tried it with honey, and I ended up just drinking it without anything added.
Super elite tea facist....
try here
I work at a coffee/ tea shop and we use the Yerba from EcoTeas http://www.yerbamate.com/ . I drink it all the time sans flavorings and think it is great. It is a bit of an acquired taste. I would first make sure you have a good bombilla. A bad one will let leaves through and is no fun. For folks who come in to the shop who want to try it but need something, we suggest just a little honey or a tiny bit of raw sugar. Also, until you really grow to love the taste, don't let it over steep. I hope that helps.
R
R
"Teaism is a cult founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence."- K. Okakura
thanks all! i decided to take the plunge and buy some plain yerba mate. i like pu erh and unsweetened teas, so i don't know why i was so intimidated by mainstream assessments of the taste. it can't be less palatable than black drip coffee, after all, and i drink that. don't have enough money to buy a gourd and bombilla just yet, though, but i'm sure i'll be after one soon. i'm almost as addicted to teaware as i am to tea...
Dec 23rd, '07, 15:28
Posts: 727
Joined: Dec 22nd, '07, 21:02
Location: the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy
I drink mine in a traditional way: gourd and bombilla.
I don't add anything extra, although doing so seems like a fine idea.
However, when I first cured my gourd, I cured it with a premium tequila. More on that in this blog entry of mine.
I don't add anything extra, although doing so seems like a fine idea.
However, when I first cured my gourd, I cured it with a premium tequila. More on that in this blog entry of mine.
yerba mate
I have custom tea filters that I purchased called "mini minit" - they are made right here in Canada (miniminit dot com). Ideally one tbsp of mate into a filter (which has a stick to keep tea above the water line), and a nice cup is brewed after longer than usual duration, about 15 minutes. The left over tea and filter are easily composted. I find ma-tea dot com to be very reasonable, they offer 'mate directly from Argentina at roughly $5 for 1kg.
Feb 6th, '09, 00:58
Posts: 16
Joined: Jan 27th, '09, 23:58
Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Contact:
RockingtheRepublic
Re: yerba mate
Thanks!!!! That site is cheaper than another one I was looking at before.Phathom wrote:I have custom tea filters that I purchased called "mini minit" - they are made right here in Canada (miniminit dot com). Ideally one tbsp of mate into a filter (which has a stick to keep tea above the water line), and a nice cup is brewed after longer than usual duration, about 15 minutes. The left over tea and filter are easily composted. I find ma-tea dot com to be very reasonable, they offer 'mate directly from Argentina at roughly $5 for 1kg.
Remember... Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. Henry David Thoreau
Find me on Twitter @ RockingRepublic
Find me on Twitter @ RockingRepublic
Feb 6th, '09, 14:25
Posts: 508
Joined: Apr 1st, '08, 12:43
Location: united states IL.
Contact:
silvermage2000
I bought some EcoTea Yerba Mate from a natural food store about a year ago and just recently finished the big bag. It's great hot steeped with chai spice and finished with some soymilk, or (my favorite!!) steeped cold with some fresh mint leaves and a touch of agave nectar over ice...Ahhh so good!!
I have bought the MateVana tea from Teavana before..It's got a sweet taste if you add something too it (not super strong on its own), but the other flavorings added to it kinda mask the true yerba mate flavor.
I have bought the MateVana tea from Teavana before..It's got a sweet taste if you add something too it (not super strong on its own), but the other flavorings added to it kinda mask the true yerba mate flavor.
Re: Yerba: a question for the yerba mate lovers
Serena Canarias is a pretty great mate and at 10 bucks a kilo it's even better!