Yerba Mate

[kl.stevev]

Hell no!

I sort of thought coffee was considered an intoxicant as well, guess not. Coffee makes me dizzy after two cups and nothing else.

I got my yerba mate, and it's great.

If I wanted something more powerful I'd take bitter orange or synephrine. Which I don't do anymore because of it's strength.

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

I've stopped drinking soda altogether and just drink yerba mate, I've lost a few pounds not even trying. I got the 25 oz stainless steel sport bottle from yerbamate.us with built-in "ultimate bombilla" I put in about 30 grams of yerba mate in the morning and cold water and just keep adding water during the day. Of course, it gets weaker as the day goes on, but the effect is a gradual taper of the amount of caffeine that I am getting throughout the day so I'm having less problems with insomnia at night. I've been trying various samples and got a pound of La Rubia, which is one of my favorites. I dump it out in a wire mesh strainer at night to strain out the solids to put them in the trash, I think they could probably be composted if that's your thing.

 

[kavalover]

I compost them in my rose garden - I've been doing that with kava lately, too.

 

[kl.CarolinaBC]

Gray Owl, I just ordered exactly what you got-same bottle and Yerba Mate.  How many heaping tablespoons is 30 grams?  Also-does it need to steep for any amount of time?  Should I make it the night before so I can just grab it and go in the morning?

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

Gray Owl, I just ordered exactly what you got-same bottle and Yerba Mate.  How many heaping tablespoons is 30 grams?  Also-does it need to steep for any amount of time?  Should I make it the night before so I can just grab it and go in the morning?

I put the empty bottle on a kitchen scale, tare, and add yerba to the weight I'm going for.  I would guess that 30 grams is about 3 heaping tablespoons, maybe 10 grams per tablespoon.  50 grams is considered one serving but it comes out a little too strong for my taste so I use less.

If you make it the night before it will be way too strong and nasty, it doesn't need to steep.  The warmer the water is the stronger it will be.  If I need a bigger jolt in the morning I'll use warm water from the tap otherwise I'll use cold water.  In Paraguay, the popular way to do it is to put in ice, add water, and just drink it like is described in this video.

http://youtu.be/sFOE12ZLrIg

I got some Barry Farm dried lemon slices and I put a couple of those in for a refreshing lemon flavor, fresh lemon would probably work just as well.  I'm going to try putting in a date for some sweetness.  I just keep adding water throughout the day probably refill 2-3 times during the day, that way I'm getting less caffeine in the afternoon and having less problems with insomnia.

 

[Ed!]

You guys are going to bankrupt me. I just had to go buy some yerba mate following your testimonials.



...at least I'm holding off on ordering a bombilla and gourd until I know I'll like the stuff, but I can already see myself looking for a sweet steampunk bombilla.

 

[Ed!]

...at least I'm holding off on ordering a bombilla and gourd until I know I'll like the stuff, but I can already see myself looking for a sweet steampunk bombilla.

Yup. You made me do it.

 

[kl.CarolinaBC]

I've been really enjoying this.  After using the 25 oz sports rig for a week or so I've slowed way down on my soda drinking too.  I was drinking like 4-6 a day (diet) and now I'm down to 1 or 2.  My buds at work laugh at the rig and the clogged nose sound it makes but they at least appreciate that I'm trying to do something healthy.  I broke down and bought a kit with the bombilla, a ceramic gourd and yerba mate all together and ended up buying about 7 sample packs to boot.  I also got a pound if Rosamonte Especial since it seems to be highly regarded

 

[Ozzyfan121]

Ed, that's a really cool bombilla! I've never seen one quite like that.

 

[Ed!]

It's really nice. I've never used another bombilla but I haven't had any issues with clogging or cleaning in my one week of use. I liked the idea of it having three different filter mechanisms (spring, mesh tube, and slitted straw), and the fact that I can unscrew the end and pull that all apart if need be (though so far I haven't had need to). It came in the mail extremely fast too. So yeah, I recommend it you're willing to drop $20 on a bombilla.



Toying with the idea of drinking kava through it too so that I don't end up sucking up the chunky bits I always end up with.



This is it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/...f=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

 

[kl.KarmaG]

Toying with the idea of drinking kava through it too so that I don't end up sucking up the chunky bits I always end up with.

Sounds like a great idea! Let me know how it works for you. Sounds as if it could be a good way to drink kava on lazy days where you don't feel like kneading and straining.

 

[kl.Gray Owl]

I've been really enjoying this.  After using the 25 oz sports rig for a week or so I've slowed way down on my soda drinking too.  I was drinking like 4-6 a day (diet) and now I'm down to 1 or 2.  My buds at work laugh at the rig and the clogged nose sound it makes but they at least appreciate that I'm trying to do something healthy.  I broke down and bought a kit with the bombilla, a ceramic gourd and yerba mate all together and ended up buying about 7 sample packs to boot.  I also got a pound if Rosamonte Especial since it seems to be highly regarded

I pulled out the silicone plug so it's a little less noisy, but it still makes a bit of a squeaking sound, I've thought about drilling out the hole a bit wider.  I think as long as it doesn't tip over completely it should be fine.  I haven't had any problems with spilling since I took out the plug, but I wouldn't put it in a backpack or something where it would be laying down.  I just ordered some Cruz de Malta orange flavor and a bunch of flavored samples to try for a bit of variety.

 

[Slow Native]

Been drinking Yerba mate for quite a Long time (French press prep, iced down in glass). Drinking some now in fact, out of the traditional mate y bombilla. gives me a great buzz (rosamonte brand) although one of the most bitter brands out there..
I have always felt my head "open up" then get a great body buzz emanating from the core.
Feel free to ask me any Yerba mate questions etc!
Yerba mate in the morning, Kava in the evening!

 

[kl.CarolinaBC]

That Rosamonte is tasty.  I got a whole bunch of samples and I'd say that is my favorite so far.

 

[Slow Native]

Just recently found a great South American market in San Antonio, TX that stocks the largest variety of yerba mate I've ever seen, and at great prices.. Gonna be fun lol

 

[Ed!]

Where do you all buy from? I bought a 1lb bag on Amazon for reasonably cheap, but I burned through it pretty quickly. I would love to find a regular go-to source for larger purchases.

 

[Slow Native]

Central Market and Whole Foods here in my town sell a couple brands. A local S. American market sells many brands here.

 

[kl.grudge]

Central Market and Whole Foods here in my town sell a couple brands. A local S. American market sells many brands here.

Ditto in my area (Dallas). I just picked up some Rosemonte from Whole Foods, plus check with grocery stores catering to the Hispanic market (here, for example, we have Fiesta).

 

[Ed!]

I was able to find some at Whole Foods, but there was only one option and would have been cheaper to order online. I'll have to do some hunting for some hispanic markets.

 

[Slow Native]

South American markets specifically would be your best bet for a variety. Although harder to find than Mexican markets here in Texas at least