I’ve been safely traveling with yerba mate for almost a decade and I’ve never had any serious problems carrying yerba mate either directly on the plane in my carry-on luggage or my stowed-away (checked-in) luggage beneath the plane. So, rest assured, since yerba mate is a legal herb, you can safely travel without problems getting […]
Author Archive | David Askaripour
Brewing Cold Yerba Mate Tea – Comprehensive Guide
On scorching hot days do you realllyyy want to drink yerba mate? If you asked me that eight or nine years ago, I would’ve said, heck yeahhh! Admittedly, my early mate days were defined by rigid adherence to the traditional Argentine method of preparing mate, which is summed up in a single word: hot! Summertime […]
Does Yerba Mate Expire or Go Stale?
Wondering if Yerba Mate Expires? Let’s find out Yerba mate technically can expire if it’s not stored in a cool and dry place. When mate is stored in a dry area, it can become brittle and flaky, and subtle flavors are destroyed. If it’s stored in an overly-humid place, it’s at risk of mold. However, […]
What’s the Best Water Temperature for Yerba Mate?
Generally, the best water temperature for yerba mate tea is between 155ºF – 175ºF (68ºC – 70ºC). The lighter the body, the lower the temperature should be, to avoid masking flavors with heat. Also, scientists are confirming that water that has been brought to a boil is immediately used is dangerous for consumption, so avoid […]
New Saponins Discovered in Yerba Mate Tea
Foamy, frothy bubbles atop our yerba mate gourds and mugs. Yes, every passionate yerba mate drinker has seen them. Cappuccinos and lattes may have their cream, but our mates have saponins! These intriguing and somewhat mysterious compounds are present every time the mate bubbles appear. And soon, we’ll learn that they may actually indicate how […]
Beginner’s Guide to Yerba Mate Tea
Getting started with yerba mate is simple. Grab yourself a handful of mate, add the herb into a frenchpress, teapot, or traditional mate gourd, then add hot water (or make it cold), wait a few minutes, then enjoy. That’s all you need to start drinking yerba mate, especially if you’re a a beginner. Now, if […]
Yerba Mate Too Bitter? Try Adding these Zesty Herbs
If yerba mate is too bitter for you, add a natural sweetener such as raw honey, agave, cane sugar, or brown sugar. These sugars are lower on the glycemic index than traditional white sugar and immediately cut through the natural bitterness of yerba mate. And why not add some naturally zesty herbs, too? Read on to […]
You Don’t Have to Cure your Yerba Mate Gourd
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to cure your yerba mate gourd. The gourd will naturally cure on its own with daily use and attentively allowing the gourd to dry each night. Mold and mildew may occur—this is expected and normal. Within a few weeks, the inside of the mate gourd will turn a […]
Argentine Calabash vs Brazilian Cuia – Yerba Mate Gourds
Argentine calabash gourds and Brazilian cuias are both made from the hollowed and dried squash plant. In Argentina, these gourds are shaped without a wide brim and are usually harder; the Brazilian cuia has a significantly larger form with a wide brim and the gourd is usually softer, with a sponge-like interior. Read on to […]
Yerba Mate Tea vs Rooibos Tea
One hails from South America and another from South Africa, but both of their health benefits and growing popularity point North. Exclusively grown in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), pronounced “yer-BAH mah-TAY”, is the National Drink across the region, where at least 90% of the population drinks this holly plant daily. Focused […]
Where can I buy yerba mate in Houston? Find out here
From the fecund Eastern forests of Paraguay to the frenzied metropolis of Buenos Aires, Argentina, yerba mate tea has righteously wafted beyond the once unknown little holly plant solely consumed by the Guaraní and neighboring tribes within the Southern Cone (Southern regions of South America) to a staple tea for millions of people around the […]
How to Make Cold Brewed Yerba Mate Tea
Icy-cold and insanely refreshing, cold brewing yerba mate is quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to prepare yerba mate. Over the years we’ve discussed myriad ways to prepare mate, whether it’s with a french press, tea pot, infuser, and my earlier methods for making yerba mate iced tea, or continuing the tradition of the […]
Yerba Mate Cycles Explained
Understanding Yerba Mate Cycles The yerba mate cycle is the strength of the yerba mate. The stronger the mate, the longer the cycle. Cycle also refers to each time you completely finish one gourd of yerba mate. Every varietal and brand of yerba mate has its own strength. Mates such as Mission, Galaxy, and Canarias […]
The Best Water Temperature for Yerba Mate
Finding the right yerba mate water temperature is both art and science. Rising early to grab my trusted brushed stainless steel OXO kettle, I unapologetically select the finest water at my disposal. Whether it’s alkalinized 9.5 pH Kangen water or a jug of glacier water from the neighborhood Whole Foods, I’ve come to terms that water […]
The History of Yerba Mate Tea (1500–2000s)
The history of yerba mate tea is quite circuitous, reaching great heights of commercial expansion and sharply plummeting to total industry collapse. Below, I’ve highlighted the major events of mate’s development from the 1500s when Europeans discovered the Guaraní Tribe of Paraná consuming mate, to the 2000s where mate has found footing in the global […]
3 Insanely Powerful Green Herbs to Heal the Body
Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of plants. With sufficient light, plants rely on chlorophyll to produce food. Humans are also able to leverage the power of this verdant compound, helping us to detoxify the body and protect the heart. But just because a plant is green, it doesn’t mean it’s a powerful contender […]
