Time to Read: 6 minutes
Quick Overview
Yerba mate kombucha swaps the usual tea in kombucha for yerba mate, giving you a fizzy, lightly tangy, caffeinated drink you can brew at home. All you really need is sweet yerba mate tea and a SCOBY, plus a week or two of patience.
In this article, you'll learn:
- What yerba mate kombucha is
- What you need, including the SCOBY
- A simple step-by-step recipe
- How fermentation time changes the flavor
Yerba mate kombucha is one of the trendier drinks around, a rich, caffeinated, lightly fizzy tea that appeals to coffee and tea lovers alike. The good news is that it is simple to make at home in a few basic steps. Gather the right materials, follow the process, and you can brew it yourself. Here is how.
Is yerba mate kombucha good for you?
Kombucha is a fermented tea often noted as a source of probiotics and antioxidants, and using yerba mate adds its own antioxidants (like polyphenols and caffeoyl derivatives) to the mix. That said, kombucha's benefits vary from batch to batch, research is still developing, and homemade fermentation results differ. It is best to enjoy yerba mate kombucha as a tasty, refreshing drink rather than a health remedy. If you are curious about the research on mate specifically, our guide to the health benefits of yerba mate takes a grounded look.
Good to Know
Home-fermented drinks carry both caffeine and a small amount of alcohol from fermentation, and are not recommended for everyone. This article is for general information and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or have health concerns, check with a professional.
What you need
To make yerba mate kombucha at home, gather:
- 1 cup of cane sugar
- 12 to 13 cups of filtered water
- A 1-gallon glass jar
- 4 to 5 tablespoons of loose-leaf traditional yerba mate
- A kitchen towel or coffee filter
- A rubber band
- 1 SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast)
- 2 cups of kombucha liquid (starter)
For the SCOBY, ask a friend who brews kombucha or buy one from a reputable seller. It is the key ingredient that triggers fermentation, so its quality matters.
How to make yerba mate kombucha, step by step
- Bring 12 to 13 cups of filtered water to a boil.
- Add the sugar to the boiling water.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Add a little cool water to your loose-leaf yerba mate first, which helps preserve its character.
- Add the yerba mate to the sugar-water mixture.
- Turn off the heat and let it brew for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into your 1-gallon glass jar and let it cool completely.
- Add the 2 cups of kombucha starter liquid and the SCOBY.
- Cover the jar fully with the towel or coffee filter, secured with the rubber band.
- Let it ferment for 7 to 14 days, stored somewhere dark.
- Reserve 2 cups of the finished kombucha as starter for next time.
- Serve and enjoy.
Taste a small sip once it has fermented. The longer it brews, the stronger and more vinegary it gets, so if you prefer it sweeter, ferment toward the lower end of the 7-to-14-day range.
Tip
Keep everything clean and use glass, not metal, for fermenting. And always let the tea cool completely before adding the SCOBY, since hot liquid can harm it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is yerba mate kombucha?
Kombucha, a fermented sweet tea, made with yerba mate instead of regular tea. It combines kombucha's tang and fizz with mate's flavor and caffeine.
Do I need a SCOBY?
Yes. The SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) is what drives fermentation. Get one from a friend or a reputable seller.
How long does yerba mate kombucha take to brew?
About 7 to 14 days. Shorter fermentation is sweeter, longer is more vinegary, so taste as you go.
Is yerba mate kombucha healthy?
Kombucha is often noted as a source of probiotics and antioxidants, and yerba mate adds its own antioxidants. Results vary, though, so enjoy it as a tasty drink rather than a remedy.
Brew your own
Yerba mate kombucha is a fun way to use your yerba beyond the gourd. Start with a good loose-leaf yerba mate and give it a try.
Other articles you may enjoy
Ingredients You Can Add to Your Mate