Another Traditional Technique

There are many different techniques to prepare Yerba, here is another traditional method technique.

1. Fill the Maté cup with Yerba Maté up to 3/4 of its capacity.
2. A variation that will give you more Tea per infusion and a less potent taste is to fill the Maté cup only half way, or even a little less than that.
3. Pour some hot water in until it nearly fills the cup.
4. Don't worry if some of the leaves remain dry, floating on the top.
5. They will eventually absorb water in subsequent infusions.
6. Let it stand a few seconds and replenish with hot water when the previous one is absorbed by the dry Maté leaves.
7. When the water is not absorbed anymore, close the bombilla's "mouthpiece" with your thumb and insert it firmly into the Maté.

Some people add sugar and/or some herbs (like mint, for example). Some replace the water with milk, specially for the children. You drink and replenish the Maté with hot water many times till the liquid comes out with almost no taste. The repetitive extraction with hot water seems to be an efficient way of extracting the beneficial properties of the herb.