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Yerba Mate Latte

Yerbamatelatte

Occasionally I get the urge for something warm - might I say hot even. And when that feeling comes, nothing hits the spot like this Yerba Mate Latte recipe. Much love goes out to Cafe Gratitude for introducing me to this elixir.

Overview
Making a Yerba Mate Latte is simple. All you are really doing is mixing Yeba Mate tea with some form of nut milk, (I'm going to use an instant cashew milk recipie). See my footnotes if you are a raw purest.

1cashewbutteryerbamate

Ingredients (Raw & Organic)

  • 4 TB Cashew Butter (like this)
  • 2 1/2 Cups Pure Water
  • 2 TB Agave or Honey (like this)
  • 4 Dashes of Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
  • 1/8 Tsp. Sea Salt
  • Yeba Mate tea leaves or tea bag (like this)

1 - Preparing the Instant Cashew Milk

I'm slightly lazy, so I'm going to be using an instant cashew milk recipie for the latte part of this drink. Feel free to use almond milk if you so wish.

2blendingcashewbutter_2

  • One: Throw your 4 TB of Cashew Butter into the blender with your water.
  • Two: Salt, Cinnamon and Vanilla definitely add that magic touch.
  • Three: Blend it like you mean it.
  • Four: So silky smooth! 

2 - Preparing the Late

3yerbamatelatte

  • One: Heat up a pot of watter or tea kettle to your desired temp.
  • Two: Drop in the Yerba Mate tea bag and hot water into a cup, let it sit for 5 minutes or so.
  • Three: Using a strainer (to catch the un-blended chucks of cashew) fill up 1/4 up the cup with the cashew milk. More milk if you want it creamier.
  • Four: Add a dash of cinnamon for the road and you're read to go!

Sharing is caring. Enjoy.

Note: This isn't technically a "raw" drink. Meaning, the water for the tea is heated above 118 or whatever degrees, but there isn't anything in this tea that is going to damage your health. Although, if you drink tea that is really hot, you run the risk of killing cells in your mouth. Blaa Blaa Blaa

If you want to make a totally raw version of this drink, just don't heat the water above whatever that magic raw number is. Simply let the tea soak into the water instead. My guesstimate is that you'll have to leave it soaking for at least 10 to 20 minutes longer to get that full flavor. The yerba mate I used is probably roasted, but there are a few websites out there that sell sun dried yerba leaf. Just Google it!

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