A gadget that changes life - the yerba thermometer
Yerba mate - a healthy, stimulating infusion made from the Ilex paraguariensis. It has many positive properties and contains lots of vitamins and minerals. In order for it to have a good effect on the body, it is important to prepare it properly, and the temperature of the water that is poured over the dry leaves is crucial in this regard. How do you measure it? When is the water too hot? Can yerba mate be "scalded"?
Summary:
- The right brewing temperature for yerba mate is the secret to a delicious brew!
- The yerba mate thermometer - a gadget that changes life
- Yerba mate thermometer - how do you use it?
- Why is it worth getting a yerba mate thermometer?
The right brewing temperature for yerba mate is the secret to a delicious brew!
Tea can be brewed in almost any way you like. The usual method is just to boil water, put a tea bag in a cup and pour in the boiling water. Wait a few minutes and after a while the warm beverage is ready to drink. Although yerba mate is often confused with tea, it is different in many ways. In order for a yerba mate infusion to be tasty and to release as much caffeine, vitamins and minerals as possible during brewing, it must be made using water at the correct temperature. The optimum water temperature for brewing yerba mate is 70-80°C. The cooler the water is, the longer it takes the leaves and twigs of Ilex paraguariensis to brew, the weaker is the infusion and the less it releases its properties. If the water is too hot, it can scald the Ilex paraguariensis leaves, resulting in a very bitter and unpleasant tasting of the brew, and it is scientifically proven that tea leaves and twigs brewed with boiling water release half the amount of caffeine. It is interesting to note that Ilex paraguariensis releases its properties just as well in cooled water at around 80°C as in ice-cold water. The method of “brewing” yerba mate cold is called tereré and is particularly beloved by Paraguayans.
The yerba mate thermometer - a gadget that changes life
Experienced matheists, after years of practice in making and drinking yerba mate, become adept at sensing the right water temperature. For those who are just beginning their adventure with the "green gold of the Guarani Indians", this can seem difficult, if not impossible. A gadget that saves lives in such a situation is an analogue yerba mate thermometer. It is a very practical tool that makes making the brew much easier, and it is not expensive! The thermometer is very sensitive, so it measures the temperature of the water accurately and thus ensures that the water is not too hot or too cold. After a while, the thermometer helps you develop habits in sensing the temperature and how long you need to wait for the water to be suitable for brewing yerba mate.
Yerba mate thermometer - how do you use it?
An analogue thermometer is very simple to use. The simplest thermometer consists of two parts - a dial with a pointer and a marked temperature range (usually from 0°C to 100°C, although some thermometers have a slightly larger range), and a long “needle”. In addition, thermometers usually come with a convenient case, which not only has a protective function by preventing mechanical damage to the device, but also makes it easier to place the thermometer in the brew - by tilting the case at the right angle, it prevents the thermometer from falling into a vessel (such as a thermos or kettle). The case often also has a convenient and practical clip that also makes it easy to hook the yerba mate thermometer to the wall of the vessel. How do you use this extremely practical tool? It is simple and very intuitive! Simply place the needle of the thermometer in boiling water (in a mug, kettle, thermos, etc.) and wait for it to cool down, checking the temperature on the dial. Alternatively, the thermometer can be placed in the kettle while the water is boiling and stopped when it reaches the desired temperature - some people believe that this is the water that should be used to brew yerba mate, heated rather than boiled and cooled. An analogue thermometer is not only ideal for measuring the temperature of water for yerba or tea, but is also useful when baking cakes, cooking dishes or preparing barbecued food.
Why is it worth getting a yerba mate thermometer?
Although a thermometer is a very practical tool, it is not essential for preparing yerba mate. Achieving the right temperature for brewing dried Ilex paraguariensis leaves is a matter of skill. After boiling the water, it is sufficient to wait about 4-10 minutes for it to cool to 80°C. On the other hand, a thermometer ensures that the water is not too hot or too cold. It is simply a great convenience in the process of making yerba mate. In addition, it is not expensive, so if you can make your life easier at a low cost, it is worth investing a little money! And where can you buy a yerba mate thermometer? In our shop, of course. We recommend the Cebador’s analogue thermometer - a durable, resistant and very convenient device that will come in handy in the kitchen!
Source of information:
- Wikipedia: Yerba mate.
- B. Kruszewski, A. Jakóbiak, A. Jasiczek, B. Wieczorek and D. Niemczuk, Influence of brewing parameters on caffeine content in Yerba Mate infusions, Bromatologia i Chemia Toksykologiczna, 2012.
