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Tereré
Iced yerba mate
Tereré: Paraguay's ice-cold yerba mate with fresh herbs
In Asunción the hottest part of the day stops for tereré: a horn or cup packed with yerba mate, topped up again and again with ice water infused with crushed herbs, and passed round the group through a metal straw. It was recognised by UNESCO as part of Paraguay's cultural heritage, and the herbs (yuyos) change with the season and the drinker's mood. Yerba mate contains caffeine, so it isn't one for small children. The common mistake is pouring water straight into loose yerba, which then clogs the straw; tilt the yerba to one side first. Chef's tip: for tereré ruso, swap the water for cold orange or grapefruit juice.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz yerba mate
- 1 litre ice-cold water
- 7 oz ice cubes
- 1 handful fresh mint
- 1 handful lemon verbena or lemongrassor a strip of lemon peel
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Bruise 1 handful fresh mint and 1 handful lemon verbena or lemongrass in a jug with a pestle or wooden spoon, then add 1 litre ice-cold water and 7 oz ice cubes. Leave for 5 minutes to infuse.
5 minStep 2: Fill a cup or horn two-thirds with 2 ⅛ oz yerba mate. Cover with your palm, turn it upside down and shake to bring the fine dust up, then tilt the yerba so it slopes to one side.
2 minStep 3: Pour a little infused water into the lower side and push the metal straw (bombilla) down into it to the bottom.
1 minStep 4: Top up with infused water, drink it all through the straw, then refill and pass the cup on. One cup of yerba lasts many rounds.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 5 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 1 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tereré take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of fresh mint?
- Fresh coriander, same amount (different but just as fresh).
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