Tereré: The refreshing alternative to mate for an energizing summer

Summer 2023 is knocking at the door with its refreshing new trend: tereré.

This infusion of yerba mate with cold or iced water, very popular in South America, is the essential beverage for a summer season full of flavors and freshness.

Originating in Paraguay, tereré is a traditional drink prepared with yerba mate . Its consumption is part of a true social ritual, fostering exchange and conviviality . In Paraguay, sharing a tereré is a way to build relationships and strengthen friendship and solidarity.

What distinguishes it from its cousin, mate, is its preparation with cold or iced water.

Imagine yourself basking in the sun, a gourd of tereré in hand, savoring a variety of flavors ranging from delicate lemon mate to exotic tropical mate , and refreshing mint mate . More than just a drink, tereré is a multi-sensory experience that combines gustatory pleasure with nutritional benefits.

Ready for this culinary adventure? Let's discover tereré together, from its origins to its preparation.

Beyond its refreshing taste, tereré offers a veritable cocktail of health benefits. Like yerba mate, tereré is rich in antioxidants, which fight free radicals responsible for premature cell aging.

It also contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids essential to the body.

In terms of energy, tereré is a natural source of caffeine. It offers a stimulating effect comparable to that of coffee, but without the sudden energy spikes and equally abrupt crashes. Thanks to its slow-release caffeine, tereré provides steady and sustained energy, preventing the afternoon slump.

A tereré at the end of a summer day

If you're new to making tereré, don't worry. It's actually quite simple and only requires a few key ingredients and a little practice. Here's a basic recipe for making tereré:

1. Choosing the right yerba mate and gourd : Start by selecting a quality yerba mate. For a refreshing and aromatic tereré, opt for varieties like lemon mate , mint mate , or tropical mate . Also choose a suitable gourd; a stainless steel mate gourd keeps the mate cold for over 3 hours: ideal for a tereré!
2. To prepare yerba mate : Fill your gourd or mate glass halfway or two-thirds full with yerba mate.
3. Add herbs and/or fruit : This is where you can personalize your tereré. Add herbs like mint or lemon, or fruit like slices of lemon, orange, or grapefruit directly to the water.
4. Pour the cold water : Tilt your gourd slightly and slowly pour the cold water to the side using a mate thermos , trying not to wet all the yerba mate at once. The goal is to keep some of the yerba mate dry so it can be infused gradually with each new addition of water.
5. Insert the bombilla : Place the bombilla in the wet part of the yerba mate. It serves as a straw and filter for drinking the tereré.
6. Enjoy : You can now enjoy your tereré! Feel free to add more cold water as soon as the taste starts to weaken.

And there you have it, you are now ready to enjoy your homemade tereré!

Whether you prefer a traditional version or a fruitier variant, tereré is a simple pleasure to share with friends or enjoy alone, while refreshing yourself on hot summer days.

Feel free to add ice cubes on top of the mate leaves to keep your drink cold!

A good tereré prepared with experience