Yerba Mate Cup – How to Choose It and How to Brew In It?

Do you always need a traditional matero and bombilla to drink Yerba Mate? Not necessarily! Although classic accessories have their charm and make the drinking ritual special, at the beginning you can simply reach for… an ordinary cup. Read on to find out how to prepare yerba this way, and also why it’s worth considering buying an original matero in the future.

Yerba Mate – how to brew in a cup step by step?

Brewing yerba mate in a cup is simple, and it works great for beginners too. Just follow a few steps:

1. Add the right amount of dried leaves – usually 2–3 teaspoons are enough for a cup. That’s less than in a traditional matero, but it means the infusion won’t be too strong.
   
2. Add lukewarm water – before pouring hot water, add a little water at room temperature first. The leaves will swell and the infusion won’t lose its aroma.
   
3. Pour in hot water – the ideal temperature is 70–80°C. Avoid boiling water, as it will make the yerba bitter and cause it to lose its valuable properties.
   
4. Use a strainer or infuser – if you don’t have a bombilla, a metal strainer or a popular tea infuser works well. You can strain the infusion or brew the leaves directly in the strainer. This way you won’t end up drinking the yerba together with the leftover leaves.
   
5. Brew several times – the leaves can be topped up with water multiple times, and each refill reveals slightly different flavor notes.

Fun fact

In Brazil and Argentina, yerba accompanies people throughout the day – nobody counts the refills there, and a cup or matero is always close at hand.

Yerba Mate – how to brew in an ordinary cup versus in a matero?

Although a cup works great to start with, there’s a big difference between it and a traditional matero. A matero is a vessel created specifically for yerba mate – it can be made of ceramic, wood, or calabash gourd. Thanks to its shape, it allows the leaves to “work” better and keeps the infusion warm for longer. The traditional bombilla included in the set makes drinking yerba not only convenient, but also uniquely atmospheric.

At Yerbador you’ll find various matero models that not only make brewing easier, but also turn drinking mate into a daily ritual full of character. A cup is a good way to start, and a matero is a step toward a true South American cultural experience.

Fun fact

In Paraguay, it’s popular to drink tereré – yerba brewed in a regular cup or glass, but always with ice and fresh herbs. Click and read how to prepare refreshing tereré!

Pros and cons of brewing Yerba Mate in a cup

Brewing yerba mate in a cup has many advantages – above all, simplicity and convenience. It’s a great option for people who are just starting out and don’t yet have a matero or bombilla. All you need is a regular cup, a strainer, or an infuser to enjoy the infusion. This makes it easy to fit yerba into your daily routine, for example at work or at university. It’s also a cheaper way to start – there’s no need to invest in accessories right away.

The downsides only appear when you want to deepen the experience. A mug doesn’t let you form the characteristic “mound,” so the yerba’s flavor washes out faster. It’s also harder to control the leaf-to-water ratio and the infusion temperature. On top of that, without a bombilla, the loose leaves often get in the way while drinking, and each subsequent refill loses a bit of intensity. That’s why a mug is a great option to start with, but in the long run it won’t replace the traditional way of preparing yerba.

Why is it worth investing in a matero and bombilla?

Matero and a traditional bombilla aren’t just gadgets – they’re accessories that have a real impact on the flavor and aroma of the infusion. The matero lets the leaves soak evenly and “work” better. This way, the yerba releases its aroma gradually, and the flavor lasts through many refills.

The bombilla, on the other hand, lets you drink the infusion without loose leaves, filtering out particles and dust that can get in the way when using a mug. It’s also worth highlighting the cultural aspect – by using these accessories, you become part of a centuries-old South American tradition.

At Yerbador you’ll find various models of matero and bombilla, which make the ritual of drinking not only practical but also special. For beginners, it’s a great way to deepen the experience, and for more advanced drinkers – an essential part of everyday life with yerba. This way, an ordinary drink turns into a true ritual that lets you step away from everyday life.

A cultural fact

In Argentina, Uruguay, or Brazil, drinking yerba mate together from a single matero and bombilla is more than just a drink break. It’s a ritual that strengthens social bonds – one person acts as the “cebador” (the one pouring), and the other participants take turns drinking from the same bombilla. It’s a gesture of trust and community that you simply can’t experience when drinking yerba from an ordinary mug.

Which cup to choose for yerba? Three sensible options

Since you’re looking for an answer to the question about a yerba mate mug, you’re probably at one of two stages: either you’re just starting out and want to check whether you even like yerba mate, or you’ve been drinking it for a while in an ordinary vessel and are wondering if it’s worth investing in something. The answer depends on how often you reach for the infusion. Below are three real options – from one that costs nothing, to one that stays with you all day, even outside the house.

An ordinary mug you already have at home

As described above – any ceramic or glass mug will work for brewing yerba, as long as you add a strainer or infuser. It’s a zero-cost start and the best way to check for a week or two whether yerba mate will become a permanent part of your daily routine. The only downside: you have to remember the strainer every time you brew, and the infusion cools down faster than in a thicker, insulated vessel.

Starter set with bombilla – a mug that becomes a ritual

If after your trial week you already know that yerba is here to stay, the natural next step is a set combining a tube of dried leaves, a matero, and a bombilla – a complete kit that lets you stop fussing with a strainer and start drinking the way it’s been done for generations in South America. The bombilla filters the leaves on its own, and the matero keeps the temperature far longer than an average mug from the cupboard.

Check out the product: Starter Set – Yerba Mate Tube + Matero + Bombilla

Price: check the current offer — much less than buying everything separately. The box contains a complete kit ready to brew straight out of the packaging – with nothing extra to buy along the way.

A thermos – the mug that travels with you to work

A mug and matero work great at home, but if you drink your yerba on the go too — in the office or at university — a regular vessel starts to get in the way, cooling down before you even arrive. That’s where the thermos comes in: stainless steel, double walls without BPA, a built-in spring filter and a straw, so you drink just like from a traditional matero, except the infusion stays warm for hours instead of minutes. It works just as well with hot yerba as with cold tereré in summer.

Check out the product: Yerbador PRO MAX Thermos + Doypack free

Price: check the current offer — a real saving compared to the regular price, plus a doypack of yerba free – so you have something to fill it with right away.

Set for two – when a mug has two owners

In South America, Yerba Mate is rarely drunk alone – traditionally, one matero is passed around between several people. If you’d rather have your own vessels but still want to drink together, a double set makes more sense than two separate purchases: two tubes, two materos, two bombillas in one box, cheaper than buying each set separately.

Check out the product: Set for Two – 2x Tube + 2x Matero + 2x Bombilla

Price: check the current price for a set for two.

How much does a yerba mate cup cost? Real prices

To leave no room for doubt, here are all four options in one place:

• The mug you already own + a kitchen strainer – no extra cost, start today
• Starter set (tube + matero + bombilla)
• Thermos (on the go, with a free doypack)
• Set for two

Notice that the difference between the starter set and the thermos is only a dozen or so złoty — the real choice isn’t about budget, but about where you usually drink your yerba: in the kitchen or in your backpack.

Frequently asked questions about yerba mate cups

Do you need a special mug for Yerba Mate?

No, to start with, any mug from home and a tea strainer will do. A special mug — that is, a matero or a thermos — starts to make sense only once you drink yerba regularly and care about keeping it warm longer and filtering the leaves more conveniently.

Can you drink yerba from a thermal mug?

Yes, and very well too — a thermos with a spring filter works similarly to a matero with a bombilla, only it keeps the heat much longer. It’s the best option if you drink yerba away from home: at work, in the car or at university.

What’s the difference between a mug and a matero?

A mug is any vessel in which you brew and filter separately. A matero is a vessel designed specifically for yerba — its shape allows the leaves to form a “mound” and keep working through multiple refills, so the flavour lasts longer and the infusion needs fewer top-ups of dried leaves.

Which mug works best in the office or while travelling?

A thermos – a closed construction with no spilling, a permanently built-in filter and temperature kept for many hours. A regular mug or matero works better in calmer settings, such as at a desk at home.

Yerba mate cups and sets for businesses

Cafés, offices and shops increasingly ask us about starter sets and gourds in larger quantities – as a gift for employees or as part of a food service offer. If you’re looking for such a solution for your team or venue, get in touch – we’ll advise which option works best.

Summary

Brewing yerba mate in a mug is a great solution for beginners and busy people – simple, quick and requiring no extra accessories. However, the true depth of flavour, aroma and tradition lies in the classic preparation of the infusion in a matero with a bombilla. It is this method that lets you fully appreciate the richness of yerba, turning an ordinary drink into part of a bigger ritual.