What’s the best temperature to drink yerba mate?

The answer to this question is not as simple as you might think.

You see, coffee and other teas also have their ‘perfect’ brewing temperature.

For example, they say to brew coffee at 195-205ºF (91-96ºC), green tea at 160-180ºF (71-82ºC), and black tea at 208-212ºF (98-100ºC).

What about yerba mate?

What temperature should you brew this tea at?

Let’s find out…

Yerba Mate Temperature

If you Googled what the best temperature to brew yerba mate is, you’ll find the same answer…

Usually somewhere between 155-180ºF (68-82ºC).

And that’s a good rule of thumb to follow, but here’s the thing.

Although it’s a good rule of thumb, I don’t follow it.

And neither should you.

Here’s why…

Yerba Mate Is A Personal Experience

What I mean by that is how you like your mate will be different from how someone else likes theirs.

You may like to drink mate at 160ºF. But someone else may like to drink it at 180ºF.

It’s all a matter of preference.

However, the guidelines mentioned before (155-180ºF) is a fairly good range to stick to.

Though, it’s not absolute.

You can test the waters (pun intended) by drinking below or above that range.

In fact, most people do exactly that.

I’ve heard of some who enjoy mate around the 150ºF (66ºC) range, while others in the 190ºF (88ºC) range. Personally, I like to stay within 140-170ºF (60-77ºC).

Again, it’s up to you.

Now you might be thinking why would you even test different water temperatures.

Let me explain…

Water Temperature Effect On Yerba Mate

The temperature of your water has a direct impact on your mate. And in many ways.

The obvious one being taste.

The hotter the mate, the more bitter it’s likely to be. The colder the mate, the less flavor it’ll have. It’s your job to find your own sweet spot – the temperature you find mate to be the most enjoyable.

This ‘sweet spot’ can vary between brands.

Some mates taste better at cooler temperatures. And some taste better at hotter temperatures. You’ll have to experiment and see what’s right for you.

Here’s a recent example of mine.

I’ve been drinking La Rubia lately. And I’ve been brewing it at 160ºF because I found this to be the sweet spot for most mates. It’s a great mate. But one day, I decided to try it a little cooler – 150ºF – and the difference was pronounced.

I tasted different notes and overall, the mate was sweeter.

Another way temperature can affect mate is the release of chemical compounds.

If the mate is too hot, you can destroy these healthy compounds and miss out on its nutrients. Same goes for if the mate is too cold – the compounds won’t be released.

This is why finding the right yerba mate temperature is important.

You just never want to do this…

Warning On Yerba Mate Temperature

Never drink mate with boiling water.

There are many reasons for this (some being the above).

But the main one is because it’s unsafe and dangerous. It’s been shown that drinking hot beverages can increase the risk of mouth and esophageal cancer.

So if you’re going to experiment, it’s safest to test nowhere above 180ºF (88ºC). But personally, I’d never go over 170ºF (77ºC).

It’s too hot for my mouth and lips to bear.

Getting The Perfect Yerba Mate Temperature

There are many ways you can do this without a thermometer. A quick Google search will bring up many results.

But it’s only a rough estimate.

And when it comes to experimenting to find the ‘sweet spot’ for your mate, this won’t cut it.

If you want to get the most out of your mate, you need to be attentive to the temperature of your water. You need an accurate measurement.

One simple way to do this is to use a kitchen thermometer. You may already have one in your kitchen. If not, you might want to get this affordable one on Amazon.

All you have to do now is heat water before it gets to a full boil, and get a reading on your thermometer to see where it’s at. Then adjust if necessary to reach the exact temperature you’re looking for.

A more efficient way to go about this though is by using a kettle with a built-in thermometer like this one.

With a built-in thermometer, you can easily keep an eye on it and stop it from boiling once you reach your desired water temperature.

It’s also a good idea to get a thermos.

With a thermos, you can keep your water hot throughout drinking.

It’s one of the smartest investments you’ll make because drinking mate at room temperature is not enjoyable.

If you want to learn more about why a thermos is so important, and find out the one I use, I wrote about it here.

Final Words

When it comes to drinking tea, it’s all about personal preference.

We all have different gourds, bombillas, and brands we like.

The same goes for the temperature we like to enjoy our mate.

Just keep in mind the potential harm caused if you drink it too hot, and how temperature affects your tea.

There isn’t one perfect temperature to drink mate.

You have to try it out for yourself and see what you like.

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, then you might also want to check out our store for exclusive gourds, bombillas, and more.