Loose Leaf Herb Tea
Cup characteristics: Full bodied and smooth. The roasted character imparts a coffee-like toast flavor. Rich in mateine, which is recognized as a mild stimulant.
Caffeine/Antioxidant Level: Medium/Very High
Yerba Matte is one of South America's most widely consumed and revered hot beverages. The drink is made by brewing the dry roasted leaves of the Yerba Matte tree, a small evergreen that is a member of the Holly family. The tree is native to countries that the majority of Yerba Matte is consumed. In fact, it is not uncommon for visitors in those countries to see people sharing the drink outdoors at the park or on the beach. Yerba Matte is called 'The drink of the gods' by many of the indigenous people of South America who have brewed it for centuries. The tea was traditionally drunk from a gourd, or mate, and was sipped througha straw known as a bombilla. (Incidentally, this is still the way most Yerba Matte is consumed.) In recent years, the popularity of Yerba Mate has finally begun to take hold around the world as an alternative to tea and coffee. This roasted Matte has a pleasantly astringint, smooth, roasty characater that comes from the roasting process the leaves undergo after plucking. It makes the perfect pick me up in the morning since it contains more caffeine than coffee or tea and is also rich in Vitamin C and other naturally occuring nutients and antioxidants. It is said in parts of South America 'when one offers Matte, he offers friendship'. Brew some today and drink in the history.
Hot Tea: Put 1 slightly heaping tsp. of loose tea for each 7-9oz of water in the teapot. Pour freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep 3-7 min.
Iced Tea: (1L/QT) Not recommended, but if you do: put 12 slightly heaping tsp. of loose tea into a teapot. Pour 1 1/4 cups of boiling water over tea. Steep 5-10 min. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour tea into serving pitcher straining the tea.
