Frequently Asked Questions
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About Yerba Maté
Yerba FAQ
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What is "Yerba" ?
- A medicinal herb, Ilex paraguariensis, a member of the holly family.
- Organically grown (no pesticides or herbicides) in northern Argentina, by the country's largest and best known producer.
- Sustainably harvested- the trees are not cut down.
- Milled in traditional proportions for optimum flavor and benefits:
80 % leaf
10 % twig
10 % powder
- Comes in 3 flavors:
- Original Gaucho Bold: 100% certified organic yerba maté in the above proportions. The powder provides added nutrients as you are ingesting the whole herb. The tea can be sifted to get rid of some of the powder but this may give a different taste.
- Patagonia Blend: 100% organic yerba with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.
- Choco-Latté Maté: 100% certified organic yerba mate with Oaxacan style ground cocoa beans, almonds, cinnamon and cane sugar. This is a smooth, silky rich chocolate.
How is it supplied?
8 ounce boxes
1 pound bags
Gift sets: 8 ounces yerba plus the traditional gourd and nickel-plated filtering straw (Bombilla)How long will a pound last?
On an average, 1 month depending on the taste you prefer.
What are the benefits of yerba?
Yerba is traditionally known for :
- Strengthening the immune system
- Reducing fatigue
- Reducing blood pressure
- Rejuvenation
- Breaking down fat (lipolytic)
- Balancing sleep patterns
- Increasing libido
- Delivering oxygen to the heart and lungs during exercise
- A great diet aid
- Increasing focus
- Increasing creativity
- Increasing strength, energy and endurance
Recent research has shown that Yerba Maté:
- Reduces cholesterol
- Contains antioxidants
- Contains 15 amino acids
- Contains 24 vitamins and minerals
- Is a whole body tonic
What does it taste like?
- Yerba has an authoritative, earthy, green tea taste
- The Patagonia Blend has a smooth, light, spicy taste
- The Choco-Latté Maté has a silky smooth taste
What are "Traditional Utensils”?
- The gourd or "maté" (pronounced "mah'tay") is a commercially grown vegetable gourd decorated with silver or left plain. (The silver is attached with a non-toxic adhesive)
- The "bombilla" (pronounced bomb-bee'-ja) is the filtering straw. The bombilla is used to extract the nutrients from the tea in an infusion method.
Do you have other gourds besides the ones shown on the Internet and in your brochure?
Yes, we have very fancy silver and bronze trimmed gourds that retail for up to $75.00. We will be happy to send a color picture of them.
How do I prepare the gourd for use?
- Curing of the gourd is essential.
To Cure:
- Fill the gourd half full with tea, top with hot water.
- Set on counter for 3 days. (Add more hot water as needed to keep moistened)
- Rinse and scrape out remaining gourd lining.
How do I prepare the yerba?
- Place 2-5 Tablespoons (more or less to taste) loose tea in the bottom of the gourd.
- Nestle the Bombilla in the tea but DO NOT STIR. (Stirring may plug up the filtering tip.)
- Add hot, never boiled water to the top of the gourd. Sip and enjoy.
Why can't I use boiled water?
- Boiled water has a different molecular structure, kills the vital nutrients in the tea and will alter the taste - making it more bitter. Boiling water will also burn your mouth as it comes up the metal straw, and will wash out the yerba much sooner.
Why should I not stir the tea with the filtering straw (Bombilla)?
- Stirring plugs up the holes in the filtering tip.
How many times may I use the same yerba tea leaves?
- You may refill the gourd 7-10 times before the leaves are “lavado” (weakened - no flavor or foam remains)
What is the "Traditional Yerba Maté ritual"?
In traditional Argentine style, the gauchos will gather around a campfire several times during their workday of herding cattle. With horses hobbled and grazing, they gather for friendship, community, and energy by passing the maté (gourd) person to person in ritualistic fashion.
One person acts as server to the group. He or she prepares the first maté. The server drinks the entire maté thus settling the herbs and assuring that the temperature is perfect. The maté is refilled with hot water and passed to the person on the left or right (with the bombilla pointing toward the person receiving it) who also drinks the entire maté, then returns it to the server, again with the bombilla pointing towards the recipient.
The server refills the maté with fresh yerba after 7-10 servings. Each person drinks until fully satisfied. To indicate you are complete and no longer want to be included in the next serving, you say "Gracias".
This is a wonderful opportunity for friends to gather in community.
Flavor enhancers:
- Honey mixed with the hot water
- Herbs like mint, blackberry leaves
- Non-dairy flavored creamers
- Milk (whole, rice or soy)
- Lemon or lime juice
- Lemon or lime zest (grated rind)
- Flavored syrups i.e. maple, raspberry
- Liquors i.e. Baileys, Grande Marnier, Amaretto
- Cold beer - yes - cold beer!
- Fruit juice i.e. pineapple
Is "steeping" necessary?
- No. It is ready to drink as soon as the hot water is added.
May I use a tea ball or tea bag?
- Yes, however the bombilla pulls the nutrients out more efficiently and you receive optimum nutrition benefits and a heightened sense of well being.
What other ways may I prepare the yerba without using the traditional utensils?
- Coffee cup or mug: Add 2-5 Tablespoons (more or less to taste) loose tea to a cup, nestle the bombilla in the tea and add hot water. Remember not to stir.
- Sun Tea: Place 1/2 cup of loose tea in 1 gallon clear glass jug and set in the sun for one hour. Strain, pour over ice, add sweeteners, fruit juices, etc. - use your imagination!
(Try 3 parts yerba maté to 1 part peach juice yummy!)- Automatic coffee maker: For a 4 cup brew: Place 4-8 Tablespoons (more or less to taste) of loose tea in filter and process coffee maker as usual.
- French Press: Place 2-5 Tablespoons (more or less to taste) in top of press and process as usual.
CARE OF UTENSILS:
- Maté: Rinse with hot water and air dry. Do not use soap or place in the dishwasher.
- Bombilla: Either hand wash with soap and water or place in dishwasher.
