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Mate is prepared by infusing yerba mate (mate leaves) in a calabash. First, fill the container two-thirds full with mate leaves, then insert the bombilla. Then just add hot, non-boiling water and let it steep.
Here is a complete guide with everything you need to know to prepare good mate.
If you don't have any of that, we offer different mate kits with everything you need to get started with mate.
The traditional preparation of mate always seems a bit complicated at first glance, but it is actually quite simple.
Here is a video that explains in 1 minute and 30 seconds how to prepare your mate.
First, you need to heat some water.
Be careful not to boil the water. Using water that is too hot makes the mate very bitter, degrades the yerba mate, and increases the risk of burning your lips and/or throat.
Ideally, the water should be between 70°C and 80°C.
But how to know when the water is at the right temperature?
Stop heating it as soon as it starts to simmer (appearance of the first bubbles) or by using a kettle with a thermostat.
In terms of dosage, you should then fill the gourd two-thirds full with yerba mate.
Put your hand on top and shake everything while turning the gourd a few times. This aims to mix the mate leaves well and remove some of the powder, as some mates contain powder.
After mixing, ensure that the herb forms a pile on the side of the gourd (see next image).
Now comes the time to insert the bombilla (the filtering straw) into the mate.
A small detail before putting in the bombilla: Pour a little warm water on the hollow side of the mate. This moistens the leaves at the bottom and allows the yerba mate to maintain its shape over the infusions. This also helps to avoid 'burning' the leaves (and thus degrading the taste of the mate).
Once the water is poured, place the bombilla on the hollow side of the gourd, and do not move it afterwards.
Tip: Covering the top of the bombilla with your thumb when inserting it helps prevent mate leaves from passing through the filter.
Last step (and probably the most obvious): pour water to infuse the mate.
To do this, simply pour the hot water gently on the hollow side of the gourd. You don't need to wait long. You can drink mate after infusing for about thirty seconds, but be careful not to burn yourself.
The mate can then be infused several times (up to ten, depending on the quality of the yerba). You just need to change the leaves when they no longer have flavor or when you've finished drinking mate for the day.
That's why using a thermos is extremely practical for consuming mate.
Mate is primarily a drink of sharing.
As soon as you know how to prepare mate well, don't hesitate to introduce this wonderful drink to your friends and those around you!
And if you feel like it, we offer you a €10 coupon for each person you recommend La Bombilla as part of our referral program.
On the left, a "badly made" mate and on the right, a "well made" mate.
There's a good chance your first mates will look more like the one on the left than the one on the right, but don't panic.
It's absolutely not a big deal, and it's actually quite normal... It often takes a little time to get the hang of it!
The well allows the mate leaves to be infused gradually. Thus, the mate retains its flavor for a greater number of infusions.
Moreover, there is also an aesthetic side. It's always nicer to have a beautiful mate 😉!
Nothing serious. It takes a bit of practice before successfully making a nice mate, with a well that holds.
A few tips:
Once again, not being able to make the well at the beginning is not very serious. The most important thing is to enjoy the mate you drink. The perfect preparation of mate will come naturally with practice.
You can re-infuse mate as long as there is flavor. This varies depending on the volume of the gourd used and the quality of the mate, but you can normally infuse about 1 liter of hot water for the same mate, which is equivalent to about ten infusions.
Knowing that mate can be infused several times, the mate thermos is the ideal accessory for any mate lover as it allows you to re-infuse your mate in a few seconds. If you don't have one, we offer one perfectly suited for mate here.
No, we recommend not keeping the same mate from one day to the next.
The bitter taste of mate often surprises the first time, but you quickly get used to it before becoming a true enthusiast (a bit like with coffee, beer, or wine). If you want to soften your mate, know that there are several ways to reduce the bitterness.
A well-used bombilla allows only the infusion to pass through. How to use your bombilla properly? It's very simple!
Do you prefer not to complicate things and prepare your mate in a few seconds?
We thought of you! For a few months now, we have been offering the perfect accessory to enjoy mate without having to prepare it traditionally... A mate infuser!
This accessory allows you to infuse your mate (or any other tea/infusion) in a few seconds. It is easily portable and has the particularity of reducing the bitterness of mate.
The national drink of Paraguay, the land of origin of mate, tereré is a cold and refreshing version of mate.
A mix of yerba mate with fruit juice or lemonade, this drink, also popular in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, is perfect for hot summer days!
Learn more: Tereré - How to prepare cold mate?
A term that would translate to "cooked mate", maté cocido or "gringo style" mate, is an infusion of mate leaves prepared like tea.
It can be made in a teapot, with a filter, or even with a tea ball.
Learn more: Mate infusion: How to make a maté cocido?
With a strong flavor, yerba mate is ideal for any lover of exotic cocktails.
Here is a selection of 4 excellent easy-to-make cocktail recipes.
Learn more: 4 recipes for mate cocktails
