mine holds 12oz and has an infuser in it but i also have an infuser ball if i wanted to just use my cup
how much should i use ? and how much cool water do i need to put on it before i pour the hot water
Feb 24th, '08, 03:16
Posts: 921
Joined: Feb 6th, '08, 04:57
Location: enjoying a cup of Red Rose down in GA
Mate has been my drink of choice the last 2 weeks and I went through some trial and error also because I didn't want to fool around with the gourd or bombilla.
I settled on a tablespoon of Mate for a 16oz. pot/cup and a steep of about 8 minutes.
Mate is pretty large pieces, so I didn't have a problem with it plugging up the teapot when straining. I also use T-sacs when I want to carry it with me to work...
What brand are you trying out? My favorite so far is the Rosamonte Special Selection. Very strong and a smoky flavor...
EW
I settled on a tablespoon of Mate for a 16oz. pot/cup and a steep of about 8 minutes.
Mate is pretty large pieces, so I didn't have a problem with it plugging up the teapot when straining. I also use T-sacs when I want to carry it with me to work...
What brand are you trying out? My favorite so far is the Rosamonte Special Selection. Very strong and a smoky flavor...
EW
Feb 24th, '08, 12:26
Posts: 727
Joined: Dec 22nd, '07, 21:02
Location: the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the galaxy
Feb 24th, '08, 14:55
Posts: 921
Joined: Feb 6th, '08, 04:57
Location: enjoying a cup of Red Rose down in GA
Sorry, missed that the first time. While I'm waiting for the water to boil, I run hot water through the teapot to warm it. I just don't empty it all the way when it's done, leaving a tiny bit in the bottom. I put the Mate in that and then add near boiling water to it.insanitylater wrote:i got mine from wegmans which may get their loose tea from ito: en. so do you use a bit of cool water first ?
I'm not one to use multiple steepings so can't answer that. Usually I drink it at work and the 16oz. lasts awhile so don't want any more after it's gone.
I think with Mate, more is better. Considering that the original "recipe" is a couple of tablespoons into the gourd is where I base my tablespoon theory from. I just found teaspoons to be too weak for me, but enjoy it whatever way you want to.
I tried some Mate Tiramisu from SpecialTeas last night. Okay, it was a flavored one but it was still a stretch for me. I used 1.5 tsp for a 10 oz mug & let it steep 7 min since I read in one of the posts not to over steep. It was pretty good. Don't know if I would invest in anything other than sample size but at least I can say I've tried it.
Lemme toss in another vote for Rosamonte here. The way I brewed it before getting a gourd was by microwaving a mug of water just-below-boiling, wrapping a tablespoon of leaves in coffee filter, and letting the bag seep for about 6 minutes. It usually turned out good, though I'm sure there are much better ways to go about it.
Courage now.
Truth always.
Batman Forever.
Truth always.
Batman Forever.
Apr 23rd, '08, 21:58
Posts: 74
Joined: Mar 11th, '08, 16:33
Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada
tips for brewing mate
Hi Insanitylater
If I had your 12 oz teapot, I would use about 2 slightly rounded teaspoons of yerba mate in your tea ball and put it in the teapot with 4 oz of room temperature water. Let rest for about 5 min (I think longer is better) then add 8 oz of boiling water and let steep about 8 min. This 3 to 1 ratio gives you the 150F to 155F water temperature you want. I usually only do 1 infusion, however, I've noticed that the second 12 oz infusion is lighter and greener in color , milder tasting and also very good.
Rod
If I had your 12 oz teapot, I would use about 2 slightly rounded teaspoons of yerba mate in your tea ball and put it in the teapot with 4 oz of room temperature water. Let rest for about 5 min (I think longer is better) then add 8 oz of boiling water and let steep about 8 min. This 3 to 1 ratio gives you the 150F to 155F water temperature you want. I usually only do 1 infusion, however, I've noticed that the second 12 oz infusion is lighter and greener in color , milder tasting and also very good.
Rod