Green Mate Cancheada

 

Green Mate Cancheada has the true gaucho flavor tending slightly bitter and wild with a clean after taste. This mate has a lot of matein, a stimulant similar to caffein, even after few brewings, the energy is still there. It is a great tea to get a quick  boost of energy or to stay awake at night.

Could be enjoyed in the traditional gourd but also works well in the everyday cup. If the taste seems too bitter, add some sugar.

Traditional method: Mate is traditionally prepared in a hollowed calabash gourd known as a mate or guampa. The gourd is packed anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3 full of leaf and then filled with hot, but not boiled water. (70 - 80ºC / 160 - 180ºF) Next, a stylized silver straw tipped with a built in strainer, the bombadillo, is inserted into the gourd. The brewed mate is sipped through the bombadillo. Once finished, the mate may re-brew upwards of 10 times.

Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon of tea for each cup into a teapot. Fill with boiled water. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer it steeps the stronger the tea).