Anyone here ever try this tea. I’ve done some research on it an picked up 50g of it today to replace my coffee in the morning (acid reflux issues). We have this store in our mall called Teaopia. A store dedicated to all types of tea and other tea related impulse purchases. I must spend a fortune every time go in there. Anyway, I picked up some Yerba Mate afer samlping some. It supose to give you a healthier lift then coffee. I didn’t buy the traditional gourd and straw, I’ll just try it out and see how it goes. Any one else every try it? POV.

I drink it all the time , same as many Syrians and Argentinians , as well as many other countries in south america ! I would go for the gourd I buy it by the kilo , and I am considering quiting energy drinks for more Maté ! It is a great tea for keeping you up gently , and being able to sleep peacefully after drinking it. Just made sure your water doesnt reach boiling temperature , as it will release a chemical that is terrrible for you . Its a great antioxidant , and known to prevent cancers . If you drink it on hot days , use lemonade instead of hot water! Also , have a ton of sun flower seeds on hand , as the two blend like no other ! Enjoy !

I fixed my reflux issues (GERD) with omeprazole. I used to have it so bad that my doctor referred me to a cardiologist because it had the same symptoms as a heart attack. Now I take an omeprazole every day, and it is a complete cure. I posted this because, although controling your diet can help to an extent, it’s best to see your doctor because if you allow it to continue happening, you can end up with serious complications. If you already did so, then please ignore my concern :o)

I usually have it two or three times a week. I have for years. I brew and drink it just like I do any tea. I usually add a spoon of honey to it. I quite enjoy it.

For those who have never tried it, can you describe the flavor? OT - Omeprazole didn’t even phase mine. 2 x Dexilant keep it under control though. I think it would be cheaper for me to swallow gold though =\\

Flavor? Oddly creamy for something that’s an herb. That’s taste, not texture, mind you. Its not grassy like green tea, although it does still have a plant taste to it.

yes it does have a bit of a greenish taste to it if that makes sense. I have tried it once and really liked it, I brewed it just like normal tea, and one day I got adventurous and put some vanilla flavoring in it and man oh man was that ever delicious!

I really like this stuff. I’m looking for cheap gourds and straws on ebay. The flavour, for me, is simular to an oolong style of tea. @doctorbeat I guess I have an inflamed esophagus due to gerd. This causes an uncontrollable “gag” reflex first thing in the morning when attempting to brush my teeth or blow my nose. Only happens in the morning. It’s very strange. My doctor has recconmended Zantac 150 before bed and them one in the morning for a bit and see how things go. No more spicy foods, anything pickeled, mustards, alcohol… (although I cheat a bit on that one.) 33 years old and my body is falling apart already!

@nightcap if you are in the uk you can buy yerba mate from the urushop via ebay

Rosamonte and Cruz De Malta are my two favourite brands. Try and get a stainless steel bombilla if you can as a better metal to put in your mouth.

My favourites : Cruz De Malta , Pipore , and Amanda … Word of advice , if you get a gourd , the wooden ones are risky. I have no idea how to properly care for mine , so I bought a ceramic one (works wonderful ) . Does anyone know how to look after the wooden one ?

Also , with the wooden gourd , I hear the flavour gets enhanced every time , as it builds up in the wood. Is that true ?

Much as I love coffee, it’s nice to have a cup of Mate. It’s great iced with honey in the summer.

I love Mate Right now my favorite is Rosamonte. I also have a wooden gourd and have had it for several months now without any problem. I just wash it and dry it by hand (inside and out) each time to keep the moisture on the wood more even and then I let it air dry But if you don’t want to spring for a wooden gourd until you are sure you are going to like the stuff what I did was went to target or Wal-Mart and got a cheap cream pitcher that was about the same size. The spout was a perfect place for the bombillo and the handle was like holding a coffee mug…Anyway it’s the poor man’s gourd but it worked like a charm and it only cost me like 5 bucks. That said I am glad I have the wooden gourd…on the other hand I would not be too upset if I had to go back to my creamer

was in the persian food shop near work today so i bought some earl grey tea and some yerba mate tea bags called amanda from argentina less than $3 for 25 bags so no great loss if i dont like it … do you put a bit of milk in it like black tea ?

i don’t think so. I’ve read that a little honey can be added.

Milk is sometimes added at night , so this way you can still sleep easier. Also , some milk is added for kids

just bought my gourd today with the stainless steel straw. it set me back bit but if your going to go all the way… then go all the way! So far it makes a nice coffee replacement in the morning. And the gourd gives my frineds something to tease me about…

I have only had a mix of Mate and black tea, it was good. I will have to look for this at the local shop. To all of you heartburn/acid reflux guys: Stay away from Prilosec/Omeprazole products unless you are taking a magnesium supplement. I’m on Rantidine, does the trick for me.

Yerba Mate is included (along with anatabine) in the stop smoking supplement CigrX.

I Love Yerba Mate too. Been drinking it for a long time, and I have one good reccommendation. Get one of the metal bombillas (the straws), and don’t get the 3 or 5 dollar one, I’ve gone through one or two. Get the one with the spring assembly deal at the bottom end, it’ll cost about 9 to 12 dollars, but it’s much better to work with. You never have to totally disassemble it, instead of unscrewing the filter part you simply pull and swivel it open at the bottom, you won’t lose part of it falling into the drain or anything and despite the looks it seems to filter the brew better, I never seem to get any pieces of the herb in my mouth anymore. Also it is balanced enough that it wont fall out of your mug when being carried around. Perhaps the best testimony is that I’ve had it for at least a few years without destroying it!

One other thing is I’ve just started trying out some “Gaucho” Yerba Mate. It’s supposed to be stronger than the usual variety, and it seems to brew and taste stronger, but haven’t drank enough yet to verify that claim. Is anyone familiar?

I also have acid reflex disease, but luckily for me I only need to use over the counter prilosec.  Switching from coffee to loose yerba mate really helped.  Now I drink it multiple times a day.  I brew mine in a small coffee maker, and it turns out great every time.  With yerba mate I do not need energy drinks anymore either, just a cup of this and BOOM! Instant pick me up.  The brand I go to is Guriyake (if I spelled it correctly) and I always get the smoked variety since it has a more earthy taste which I enjoy.

where can I buy all the materials to make and drink yerba mate?

@vito445  if you have any south american food shops near you i would check them out

bound to have at least some yerba mate bags or loose …   

i got mine in a persian food shop as i commented a few up

Vito: ever been to thinkgeek.com? They sell a yerba mate kit complete with gourd and straw in their “caffiene and edibles” section.

@Harlequin Thats exactly what i’m looking for, there are no shops around me that sell it, I was hoping to get a complete kit online. much thanks.

If you have a Co-Op grocery nearby I’d try there, I found a decent one for like $12 or so for 2Lb, it’s even supposed to be organic. Or try a health food store, or an herb shop, but it might cost you more buying it by the ounce. Oop’s overlooked the last post, but still, there may be some where you don’t expect. Really all you need is the herb, hot water and the means to keep the leaves out of your mouth, the rest is nice but not essential, I don’t even have a gourd, but there are some tempting ones with silverwork around the rim, and/or some neat carved designs.

To those who allready drink it, I wonder, do you make one cupfull at a time? Or do you do the style of putting lots of it in your vessel and keep adding water for multiple infusions? I haven’t too much experience with that method as I do the former. Also do some of you augment your brew with mint, for example, or spices etc? 

@MrO  I brew a pot at a time and when it’s gone I just re-use it with some more water, never using it more than three times.  Also combining it with peppermint tea results in a very refreshing summertime tea (iced of course)

Next time you drink a yerba mate stick a snus in your top lip - i notice a really nice synergy between snus and yerba which makes my lip burn and tingle.  It’s the MAOIs or summink…

FlippinBird, I gotta try that! I’m a slut for most anything peppermint! Grew some this year, along with orange mint, chocolate mint and ginger mint. Now there’ some 'sperimenting to do. What about a little eucalyptus leaf in there too? Maybe even some fennel seed or anise seed, probably millions of good formulas out there.

Ansel , curious which brand/flavor of snus goes well with it? 

Mr. O  I would think the ginger mint or orange mint would work great!  A little anise could be interesting also.

@Mr. O  Well i use Skruf Stark and a 3 bag tea of yerba.  But i guess any snus would do really.  There is a definite synergy - something to do with the MAOIs in both tobacco and yerba.

FlippinBird I’ll let you know how those work,

BTW If anyone has a garden, the starter plants for the more exotic mints were easy to find at local garden shops

Ansel, I figure the Skruff probably has a decent kick to start with, so you must be getting a good buzz then. I’m really only experienced with tobacco and tea or coffee, or herbals. But I gotta try a pris with the Yerba sometime

Check out the ‘Circle of Mate’ guys… they have a website and they put out videos on YouTube and they’re on Facebook too.

I drink a terere now which is yerba mate cooled down mixed with fruit juice.  I prefer it this way.  Love it.

Thank’s I’ll have to check that out!

Gotta use up last years mint crop, maybe something interesting will develop…

Has anybody mixed in some Rooibos or Honeybush? Maybe some Stevia leaf? I must experiment!

I could use a nice cup of tea right about now. What time is high tea? It’s a quarter to three right now where I am at.

7pm is my yerba mate time.

Mate is great! I drink it to keep from getting hooked on the free coffee they feed us at work. Definitely provides a nice kick. It is basically an herbal energy drink, being loaded with B vitamins and chromium as well as moderate levels of caffeine. For me I can drink it all day with no crash and no trouble sleeping, good to stay hydrated and focused. I don’t bother with a gourd though it might be nice to have one. I’ve found that if I get the water right up to the edge of boiling and pour it over the herb after it steeps awhile everything settles to the bottom and stays there while sipping. Then when the liquid gets low I add more til it loses its flavor.

I enjoy it often. I brew it in a French Press instead of the traditional gourd.

I will make a strong one tomorrow with breakfast, it also helps you to loose weight :^o

I don’t bother with the gourds or straws. I just brew it in my teapot like tea, and strain it as it goes into my cup. Always works out well. Sometimes I will brew it with fresh peppermint leaf. Sometimes also I brew it with dried stevia leaf, otherwise I sweeten it with a drop of honey.

I use a large coffee mug and a relatively higher quality metal bombilla (straw), makes me feel special Do you folks go through the trouble of moistening the mate with cold water before brewing it? I only heard to do that a handful of years ago and I’m not sure how much of a difference it makes… And do you just brew it once, or use more of it and rebrew it?