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I have a new beverage of choice.

posted by Rob Weislocher on March 08, 2010

I have a new beverage of choice. In fact, I have had many since Mudhouse opened eleven years ago. There has been, and always will be, coffee of course. Kyle does such a great job roasting that it is always a treat to taste what is being featured each day. Sometimes that first cup will help dictate how smooth my day will run. I know a great day is before me with Kenya AA or Best of Africa is featured. Then green tea became my beverage of choice. What has been fun about green tea is there are so many varieties and tastes to experience. Whether it is delicate earthiness of Spring Blossom or the nuttiness of Genmai-cha, so many different tastes come from such an abundant bush. Then along came my Rooibos addiction. That little South African bush can brew a great beverage. And blending it with dried fruits and other herbs to create different blends really excites me. Who would have thought ginger and Rooibos would be so awesome together. Then last week, I re-discovered this great herb grown in South America – Yerba Mate.

The older I get the more I need to jolt my body into movement. And like most decent people I know ☺, I like to get that energy from coffee. That little extra pep or whatever is never really a bad thing in my opinion. Perhaps that is why I have a coffee and tea place where the caffeine runs freely. But to be honest, I am finding that my stomach can’t handle as much coffee as I’d like to drink. So after about a cup, sometimes two, I’m done. I don’t necessarily like the idea of limiting my coffee intake, but have come to terms with it. Coffee certainly gives me what I need to get through the morning and lunch so I’m happy. But then at about two o’clock, it’s time for a little recharge. Bring on the Yerba Mate. Mudhouse has carried it for years but I never really gave it much attention beyond appreciating it’s story and taste. You know, sometimes hype is a big turn off. If you look online, you find lots of pages on how Yerba Mate has become part of the culture in South America, much like coffee has here, or tea in Great Britain. With its high level of antioxidants and mineral content, the researched list of health benefits is long and includes: appetite suppressant, weight management, reduction of bad cholesterol, anti-cancer effects and energy promotion. In fact, many parts of Europe have used it effectively for years as a weight control tool.

Yerba Mate certainly has its fans at Mudhouse, but my thing has always been green tea and Rooibos. Didn’t really give Yerba Mate much of a chance. And now I am thinking I missed out a bit. As far as flavor goes, Yerba mate tastes kind of nutty, kind of earthy – very similar to some green teas, which of course I love. It’s great hot, but I prefer it iced. Either way, add a pinch of honey. I infuse one teaspoon with about 8 ounces with hot, non-boiling water for about five minutes and then pour it over a nice big glass of ice. I sip on it for about an hour, and let me tell you, the rest of my afternoon runs as smooth as Kyle’s charm. I have been in a good mood, energized, and productive. Seriously. No BS. I started drinking it daily last week. The first day I noticed the energy the hype promised. I had that pep that I wanted without my stomach freaking out. I was feeling pretty good and getting stuff done. But the more days I drank it, the better I felt. I can see why our coffee growing neighbors to the South are totally digging on it.
My next mission is to start blending Yerba Mate with different dried fruits and herbs that we use for our other teas. I am thinking peppermint, lemon, and orange, heck even a chai would be perfect, and provide a little variety every now and then. I will post what I come up with.

Well, That’s it. I’m just super excited about my new beverage of choice and wanted to share. Peace. Love. Stay Cool. Oh yea, and put some mud in your cup.

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