French Press Yerba Mate (Basics)

(1) Place 1-2 tablespoons of loose yerba mate per 80z cup of water into a french press.
(2) Add enough cool water to moisten the mate.
(3) Wait a few minutes.
(4) Add 165º hot water (just before boiling point), but NEVER BOILING! This will damage the mate.
(5) Let it steep for 3-10 minutes. The longer, the stronger!
(6) Drink and enjoy.
(7) Repeat process until flavor is exhausted. Share with friends & family!

Gourd & Bombilla Preperation (Guayaki)

Preparation
Preparing yerba mate in a gourd is an art.

1. Pack the dry loose yerba mate into the gourd just over half-full.
2. Place your hand on the top of the half-filled gourd and turn it upside-down. Shake the more powdery leaves to the top of the gourd with several flicks of the wrist.
3. Turn the gourd onto its side and give it several light shakes back and forth. This action will bring the larger stems to the surface.
4. Insert the bombilla (straw-like filter) into the gourd. Gently roll the gourd over until the mate levels off and some of the larger stems cover the bottom of the bombilla helping to filter.
5. Add fresh cool water and allow it to sit for a few minutes in order to moisten the mate. The cool water protects the nutrients and flavor of the mate.
6. After the mate absorbs the water and swells, add hot water.
7. The mate gourd can be refilled 15-20 times

• How to Pack a Gourd - from Guayaki

Blood Orange Yerba-Ice-Tea -- "Sicilian Delight"

Ingredients
4 Cups (1 quart) of Bottled Water, non-tap water - for better taste and health.
5 Tablespoons (16-20g) of Loose Yerba Mate (We like Guayaki Loose Bulk Loose) - more for stronger brew
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 Cup of Blood Orange Juice (if you can, squeeze the actual fruit)
1/3 Cup of Organic Sugar - add more for sweeter brew

Tools
1 8oz French Press
1 Pot to boil 4 cups (1 quart) of water
1 Tea-Pitcher (or any suitable 4 quart container)

Instructions
1) Place water into pot and get it to 165º - just before boiling, but NEVER BOILING!
2) Place 4 "heaping" tablespoons, 1/2oz total, of loose yerba mate (more if you would like a STRONG BREW) into bottom of French Press
3) Add just enough cold water to the French Press to moisten the yerba mate, let it stand 2-3 minutes
While waiting for the water to reach 165º ...
4) Place 1/2 Cup of Blood Orange Juice & 1/3 Cup of Organic Sugar into Tea-Pitcher
5) Poor hot water (NOT Boiling) Into French Press
6) Let the yerba mate steep 10-12 minutes
7) Press the yerba mate and then SLOWLY pull the press back to top - do this two to three times while steeping
8) Pour hot mate into ice tea pitcher that already contains sweetener and juices from recipe
We recommend puring through strainer to catch any loose mate - personally, we like the loose stuff floating around.
9) Cool in refrigerator or freezer

Serving
• Optimal time to serve is when the the ice crystals begin to form (only when placed in freezer)
• Caution! Pouring over ice will dilute or weaken the yerba mate.
• Shake well before serving.
• Enjoy!

Submitted by:
@ YerbaYerba.com

Wonderful Pomegranate Yerba-Ice-Tea

Ingredients
4 Cups (1 quart) of Bottled Water, non-tap water - for better taste and health.
5 Tablespoons (16-20g) of Loose Yerba Mate (We like Guayaki Loose Bulk Loose) - more for stronger brew
1/3 Cup Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice -- you can use other brands, we just like this one cause it is "Wonderful"
1/3 Cup of Organic Sugar - add more for sweeter brew

Tools
1 8oz French Press
1 Pot to boil 4 cups (1 quart) of water
1 Tea-Pitcher (or any suitable 4 quart container)

Instructions
1) Place water into pot and get it to 165º - just before boiling, but NEVER BOILING!
2) Place 4 "heaping" tablespoons, 1/2oz total, of loose yerba mate (more if you would like a STRONG BREW) into bottom of French Press
3) Add just enough cold water to the French Press to moisten the yerba mate, let it stand 2-3 minutes
While waiting for the water to reach 165º ...
4) Place 1/3 Cup Pom Wonderful Pomegranate Juice & 1/3 Cup of Organic Sugar into Tea-Pitcher
5) Poor hot water (NOT Boiling) Into French Press
6) Let the yerba mate steep 10-12 minutes
7) Press the yerba mate and then SLOWLY pull the press back to top - do this two to three times while steeping
8) Pour hot mate into ice tea pitcher that already contains sweetener and juices from recipe
We recommend puring through strainer to catch any loose mate - personally, we like the loose stuff floating around.
9) Cool in refrigerator or freezer

Serving
• Optimal time to serve is when the the ice crystals begin to form (only when placed in freezer)
• Caution! Pouring over ice will dilute or weaken the yerba mate.
• Shake well before serving.
• Enjoy!

Submitted by:
@ YerbaYerba.com

Honey Lemon Yerba-Ice-Tea

Ingredients
4 Cups (1 quart) of Bottled Water, non-tap water - for better taste and health.
5 Tablespoons (16-20g) of Loose Yerba Mate (We like Guayaki Loose Bulk Loose) - more for stronger brew
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Tablespoon of honey
1/4 Cup of Organic Sugar - add more for sweeter brew

Tools
1 8oz French Press
1 Pot to boil 4 cups (1 quart) of water
1 Tea-Pitcher (or any suitable 4 quart container)

Instructions
1) Place water into pot and get it to 165º - just before boiling, but NEVER BOILING!
2) Place 4 "heaping" tablespoons, 1/2oz total, of loose yerba mate (more if you would like a STRONG BREW) into bottom of French Press
3) Add just enough cold water to the French Press to moisten the yerba mate, let it stand 2-3 minutes
While waiting for the water to reach 165º ...
4) Place 2 tablespoons of lemon juice & 1 tablespoon of honey into Tea-Pitcher
5) Poor hot water (NOT Boiling) Into French Press
6) Let the yerba mate steep 10-12 minutes
7) Press the yerba mate and then SLOWLY pull the press back to top - do this two to three times while steeping
8) Pour hot mate into ice tea pitcher that already contains sweetener and juices from recipe
We recommend puring through strainer to catch any loose mate - personally, we like the loose stuff floating around.
9) Cool in refrigerator or freezer

Serving
• Optimal time to serve is when the the ice crystals begin to form (only when placed in freezer)
• Caution! Pouring over ice will dilute or weaken the yerba mate.
• Shake well before serving.
• Enjoy!

Submitted by:
@ YerbaYerba.com

Organic Sweet Yerba-Ice-Tea

Ingredients
4 Cups (1 quart) of Bottled Water, non-tap water - for better taste and health.
5 Tablespoons (16-20g) of Loose Yerba Mate (bulk or pure-leaf) - more for stronger brew
1/4 Cup of Organic Sugar - add more for sweeter brew

Tools
1 8oz French Press
1 Pot to boil 4 cups (1 quart) of water
1 Tea-Pitcher (or any suitable 4 quart container)

Instructions
1) Place water into pot and get it to 165º - just before boiling, but NEVER BOILING!
2) Place 4 "heaping" tablespoons, 1/2oz total, of loose yerba mate (more if you would like a STRONG BREW) into bottom of French Press
3) Add just enough cold water to the French Press to moisten the yerba mate, let it stand 2-3 minutes
While waiting for the water to reach 165º ...
4) Place 1/4 cup of Organic Sugar into Tea-Pitcher
5) Poor hot water (NOT Boiling) Into French Press
6) Let the yerba mate steep 10-12 minutes
7) Press the yerba mate and then SLOWLY pull the press back to top - do this two to three times while steeping
8) Pour hot mate into ice tea pitcher that already contains sweetener and juices from recipe
We recommend puring through strainer to catch any loose mate - personally, we like the loose stuff floating around.
9) Cool in refrigerator or freezer

Serving
• Optimal time to serve is when the the ice crystals begin to form (only when placed in freezer)
• Caution! Pouring over ice will dilute or weaken the yerba mate.
• Shake well before serving.
• Enjoy!

Submitted by:
@ YerbaYerba.com

Tereré

Tereré is a refreshing summer treat. It is more popular than hot maté in tropical South America. You can prepare tereré just like hot maté, but use flavored iced water instead of hot. Generally, it is better to use a small glass or metal cup instead of a maté gourd, as the flavored water will seep into natural gourds.

1. Fill a pitcher with water and ice.
2. Add agave syrup, maple syrup, or unrefined cane sugar to taste.
3. Squeeze a fresh lime or two into the pitcher. (Organic bottled lemonade or limeade can be used instead.)
4. Fill a small glass or metal cup with Loose Yerba Mate.
5. Insert a bombilla.
6. Pour sips of ice-cold, sweet limey water right over the bombilla's head.
7. Share, Sip, and Refresh!

For dramatic effect and culinary delight, try using a coconut, a hollowed-out grapefruit, or even a packed snowball!

-- Recipe from EcoTeas

Throw and Go! - Iced Yerba Maté

You're never too busy to enjoy the healing benefits of Yerba Maté. This easy recipe is designed for busy folks en route to their next big accomplishment.

1. Insert an Yerba Mate Tea-Bag into a bottle of chilled spring water.
2. Put the cap back on the bottle.
3. Set the bottle atop your desk or in your car's beverage holder for ten minutes.
4. Watch as the water turns a brilliant shade of green. (These are yerba maté's naturally occurring polyphenol antioxidants and chlorophyll dissolving into the cold water.)
5. Add a squeeze of fresh lime and/or a dollop of agave if desired.

This natural energy beverage is full of nutrition and antioxidants, but light on tannin.

Blueberry Bliss - Iced Yerba Maté

This summer smoothie is full of antioxidants and natural energy. It's the perfect eye-opener for sultry summer mornings.

1. Brew a shot of "green espresso" or a strong cup of maté and set aside. (Another option is to prepare a large batch of sun maté and keep it refrigerated for immediate use when needed.)
2. Place a handful of ice cubes into a blender.
3. Pour the green espresso into the blender over the ice cubes.
4. Add a slice of fresh ginger root.
5. Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries.
6. Add 1/4 cup of plain yogurt.
7. Blend until smooth.
8. Pour into a cup and wake up happy.

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