Yerba mate – Leenie's Lounge

Making Yerba Mate from leaves in my yard.

Yerba Mate (YER-BAH MAT-TAY) is Argentina’s favorite drink. This tea contains 90% antioxidants, more than green tea. Aids digestion. Caffeine without the jitters. Improves mood. Enhances your ability to focus. Physical endurance. Reduces inflammation. Detoxifies blood. Prevents many types of cancer. And is a huge social tradition in most parts of South America. This has been my favorite drink since I was a little girl in Córdoba. Below are some of the many ways to enjoy Yerba Mate. My personal favorite is in the picture below with the loose leafs and the traditional Mate gourd. It enhances the flavor as well as the concentration. Also incredible with milk and sugar. Gosh it takes me back.

How to make Yerba Mate Tea:

Bring the water or milk to simmer. DON’T BOIL.

Measure about 1 tsp per cup. Add more to make it stronger.

Seep 3-5 minutes.

I love using my Keurig to heat up the water and place my loose leaves in a tea strainer. I get my tea strainers from the Dollar Tree or Daiso. I like adding sugar accordingly. Sometimes my tastebuds prefer sweeter, sometimes more bitter, you can add more leaves to make it stronger.

Have it hot or over ice.

Optional add-ins