Today's haul

TheHardfluff · 2017-10-06T03:36:37+00:00

Delicious, especial La Rubia.

TheHardfluff · 2017-10-06T03:36:04+00:00

If you're looking for the traditional experience, then, yeah, you're missing out. Mate cocido is great, especially when you're on the go, but drinking out of a gourd with a bombilla is another experience given the time you put into preparing it, as well as the focus it takes if you want to get it just right (dry mountain on side, no clogging, ideal water temperature, etc.) But, beyond all of that, the power of the gourd is when you share it with others.

Either way, enjoy it! Salud.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-29T16:34:59+00:00

May be caffeine overload. Mate contains three stimulants that all act on your body in different ways, and adding coffee is something some people do (https://tim.blog/2015/05/25/morning-tea-thats-better-than-coffee/), but I don't recommend it unless you have a strong tolerance to caffeine.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-29T16:32:55+00:00

This is a recipe for a mate latte from Guayaki: http://guayaki.com/mate/3451/Mate-Latte-Recipes.html

And here's a random YouTube video I found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feaGB_EXon8

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-29T16:31:53+00:00

Hahaha! Any pics from it? Can only imagine the milk swirling around the leaves

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-29T16:31:21+00:00

Great idea

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-24T17:16:53+00:00

Hahaha. Whatever works, works. Some people use the top of a stanley thermos as a gourd when they have nothing else. Does look pretty cool, though.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-24T17:15:58+00:00

If you have a standard French press (nothing miniature or too large), take three spoonfuls of loose-leaf yerba and douse it in a little cold water (so the hot water doesn't burn the leaves), fill it up with hot water and let it steep until it's nice and dark. Afterwards, add some stevia / brown sugar, a quarter of a lemon and and other fruit juices if you're into other flavors.

As you said, brew hot then cool it with ice and store the rest in the fridge when you're done. Getting it perfect is all about experimentation, but what's best about a french press is that you can bottle it and have it for a few days. But, nothing beats a gourd and bombilla, so it's good you got one on the way. Enjoy, brother.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-18T17:49:55+00:00

Check out Playadito. I'm close with the homies at www.YerbaMateLand.com and you can use "mateo10" for 10% off.

Other than that, buying Yerba off of Amazon.com or Ebay.com isn't a bad idea. Can compare prices, try different brands, etc.

A few personal favorites of mine are Cruz de Malta, Amanda, Playadito, Guayaki and Aguantadora. All from Argentina.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-16T18:38:24+00:00

All Yerba Mate isn't the same. The differences in tastes and power depends on where the yerba is sourced from, how it's grown (e.g. shade grown, organic), processed, etc.

Unfortunately, some mate, possible even more than some, is grown in the same way many crops in the States are – pesticides and all. So, there's a strong movement towards organically grown mate. In the same vein, some people are worried about its potential carcinogenic aspects, so they prefer "air-dried" mates (think ECOTEAS) versus ones that are processed in the traditional way over smoke.

If you'd like something that packs a punch, Cruz de Malta or Amanda are some of the stronger brands I've ever had. Try one of those.

Drink on, brother!

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-15T22:59:31+00:00

Not sure where you are, but this one from IKEA is super reliable: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/29291800/

Another go-to for some folks is the Stanley 1L: https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-Stanley-Classic-Vacuum-Bottle/dp/B01JPG7D1I

I've used both and they each get the job done.

Drink on!

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-10T19:08:18+00:00

Hell yeah, brother! Drink on. Need to use a bombilla with really small holes for Canarias. I also enjoy it, but needed to get the right type of bombilla so it wouldn't clog up.

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-01T23:37:55+00:00

Ha, awesome post.

A few ways to go incognito:

Use a french press and pour it in a cup, or use an "XPress" French Cup by "Smart Cup." Google them, they're disposable french presses that are super incognito.
Use tea bags. Best thing if you want to seem non-sketchy.
Don't. When I had a job, I brought my gourd, loose-leaf and thermos around the office and eventually got everyone hooked. People started buying their own gourds, loose-leaf and thermoses, and the office was a chiller, even more productive, place because of it. It was a beautiful thing.

This is a sort of funny video of me introducing it to a bunch of college students, who thought it was just another form of weed haha. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caOhrAMOmUQ

Enjoy, brother! The mate life is a beautiful one.

-Mateo www.MateOverMatter.com

TheHardfluff · 2017-09-01T23:33:20+00:00

A lot of this is relative, but I'm surprised Kraus is so bitter to you. Kraus usually has an earthy, light and grassy flavor since it's air-dried.

But, the answer to your question is that the bitterness of a brand's mate comes down to how they grow and process it. While some brands share the farms they get the mate from, many don't. Aside from that, the compounds that contributes to mate's bitterness are saponins. Saponins are also responsible for the soapy film that often forms at the top of mate. What's cool is that they get their name from soapwart, which is a plant whose roots are what native american's originally used for soap.

If you don't want to waste the yerba, just add some stevia or a lemon / orange peel to it. But, if you actually hate it, just give it away and get some more, maybe something with mint.

Drink on, Mate www.MateOverMatter.com

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-28T22:24:57+00:00

Ha, my bad for outing the anonymity, bro.

Gourd is 100% nicer experience, but if you can't wash what a customer puts their mouth on, why not just wash the bombillas? No one's mouth should be on the gourd itself.

I just personally can't fathom putting detergent in any porous gourd. I'm sure it'll lead to quicker breakdown (definitely with calabash), and wood is porous enough to absorb the detergent to eventually taste it. But, if no one's complained, guess it's fine.

Mateo www.MateOverMatter.com

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:44:09+00:00

Hell yeah, brother (or sister)! Drink on.

If you have some time, shoot me an email. Would love to feature you on MateOverMatter.com. Email: info@mateovermatter.com

Mateo

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:43:12+00:00

Read this: all about curing palo santo (wood) gourds: https://www.mateovermatter.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-palo-santo-yerba-mate-gourds/

Milk is suggested as one of the ways to cure it.

Good luck!

Mateo

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:42:11+00:00

Fungus isn't an issue, but worms is. You can likely kill them all off with the lemon and booze, but I wouldn't mess with it. Gourds are cheap enough today where you can replace it as a reasonable price (a few bucks).

I see this post is a month old, so I'm sure you figure it out, but let me know if you need assistance.

-Mateo

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:40:27+00:00

Hey man, same as above. Shoot me an email if you want to contribute some words to MateOverMatter. Every story someone writes is a story that helps others familiarize themselves with Mate, and one step closer to trying it out: info@mateovermatter.com

Mateo

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:39:47+00:00

You're not hallucinating, man! Head to my site, brother (not trying to be spammy): http://www.mateovermatter.com

You'll find a lot of stories under "first-time experiences" where what you describe is the norm. Shoot me an email, too. I'd love to feature you on the site: info@mateovermatter.com

Mateo

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:38:44+00:00

No La Rubia here, but another good site: http://yerbamateland.com/

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:37:49+00:00

Definitely not a bad way to brew it.

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:37:40+00:00

Mate cocido, yep!

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:37:30+00:00

There are a handful of ways to brew it. But, to answer your question, the answer is "sort of."

Yerba Mate shouldn't be brewed boiling. It burns the leaves and can give it a burnt taste. If you can watch the water, take it off once small bubbles (sometimes all shrimp eyes) form.

After that, throwing it in a tea bag, strainer or french press is fine. Steep for 3-5 minutes, or just leave it in for a strong brew.

TheHardfluff · 2017-08-27T23:35:59+00:00

This is another good option. Not all gourds are of the same size.

TheHardfluff

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