Yerba Mate tea.

[Ansel]

Because if you look how much people who do it the proper way put in a gourd it is more than is in a tea-bag, from what i can see.

May also be worth trying to get some guayusa (guays!) from here:

http://www.runa.org/home.aspx

[Ansel]

It keeps me off the smokes. I felt like i was missing something...

[Ansel]

It is drank cold (in a mix with fruit juice) in some parts of South America, known as tereré.

[Ansel]

Forgot to mention i follow it by a strong coffee and the yerba mate seems to change the effects of the coffee giving me no-jitters.

[Snusdog]

I'll have to try it some time. I've had bottled mate drink, but I imagine it's pretty far from a home brewed product.

Lx
I think this will be your cup of tea (pun intended). Its old school..............got a bit of bitterness (not in a bad way but in that Gotelands herbal way) and is really a unique product.

When you get a chance give some a try

I veered away from the gourds and got a wooden Mate instead (gourds seem to collect bacteria)

However a $4 ceramic cream pitcher from target will work just as good

Check out Yebramateus.com.

They have a good selection and have some helpful videos as well

[lxskllr]

Prices are very reasonable. I'll definitely check it out :^)

[Ansel]

when i can afford it i'm going to buy a stainless steel bombilla...

[heders]

This beverage does sound interesting as hell. I bought 100 grams of it like a year ago, but haven't really tried it out more than maybe one time, and I did not notice any special effects... perhaps I brewed it wrong or used too little. Maybe I'll try it again later today! Caffeine high without the jitteriness sounds awesome!

However, it tastes like crap...

[Ansel]

yeah i have it with milk and sugar. rosamonte is supposed to be the one to try. the stuff in health food shops can taste a bit plain.

[heders]

yeah i have it with milk and sugar. rosamonte is supposed to be the one to try. the stuff in health food shops can taste a bit plain.

Never tried it with milk and sugar. Maybe that's it! I just drank it plain, and it tastes like bark and roots.

[Snusdog]

From my limited experience you want it with stems and moderate dust. So far Rosamonte is what I would recommend. It is really good. The organic stuff I have tried usually does not have the stems and seems a bit flat (stems are the source of a lot of the well being effect) . I use the organic when I brew the mate in a more traditional way (like tea). I really think for mate the "organic" designation is as much a marketing ploy as anything else.

Any way.............most of the time I am using the Rosamonte. I drink it in a wooden gourd and put just a little honey in at the start (the wooden gourd adds a nice character to the flavor). I pour the first bit of water over the honey and let the honey dissolve and the water soak into all the leaves.........from there I'm good to go.

When it begins to taste a little weak...............I will repack the leaves so that those in the back of the gourd are now up front

I find the mate to be smoother and less bitter than most teas taken straight.

[LincolnSnuff]

+1 on Rosamonte (I like the Especial variety)

When I first started drinking mate, I used the traditional gourd and bombilla method. It takes a lot of practice, but gives a great experience. I learned online that a simple French coffee press makes great mate as well. You can find one for $15 at Target:



The process is pretty simple:

1) Bring water to a near boil on the stove in a tea pot. Do not fully boil water. The will destroy much of the antioxidant qualities of Yerba Mate.
2) Measure 6 tablespoons dry mate into the bottom of the press.
3) Pour 1/4 cup warm water over the mate (it will absorb into the leaves). This process helps to reduce the shock of the hot water to the leaves, reducing bitterness and maintaining antioxidants.
4) When water has come to a near boil, remove from heat. Add small amount of cold water to reduce the temperature (160-180 degrees F is ideal).
5) Pour water over mate in press and fill.
6) Stir vigorously for about 30-45 seconds.
7) Place lid on the press (do not depress). Wait 5-6 minutes. Longer brews will yield very bitter mate.
8) Depress plunger/filter on french press.
9) Enjoy perfect yerba mate without any leaf material getting in the way.

I like to add some cream to my yerba mate and drink it like tea. Picks me up like coffee, without all of the jitters and crash later. You can also reuse the grounds 1-2 times, but I like to add another tablespoon or two of fresh yerba for each successive brew to maintain strength.

[Ansel]

Guayusa:

http://www.medicinehunter.com/guayusa