What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like?
Yerba mate comes as bunch of very small pieces, much like fannings in low-quality tea. The bits are varying colors of green, tan and brown.
The Flavor of Yerba Mate
Yerba mate, a South American herb related to the holly whose leaves are drunk much like tea, has a taste that is different from tea, even green tea. It's strong, earthy, bitter, and has a eucalyptus smell.
What Does Yerba Mate Taste Like?
- Strong and pungent, especially if prepared in the traditional fashion from the gourd and straw.
- Somewhat earthy, not completely unlike green pu-erh tea.
- A slightly camphor/eucalyptus smell and taste (like Vicks).
- Bitter, but not very astringent if prepared similarly to tea.
How Long Should I Steep Yerba Mate for Maximum Flavor?
It also comes in tiny broken pieces of the leaf, so in hot water, it doesn't take long to steep. I typically steep a couple of teaspoons in almost-boiling water for about 30 seconds, while I usually steep the tea for at least 3 minutes.
Does Yerba Mate Have Caffeine?
Yerba mate has quite a bit of caffeine—more than tea, but less than coffee—so it can be addictive (I'm speaking from personal experience).