No thermometer? No problem: Getting the perfect temperature for your yerba mate

Not everyone owns a fancy kettle that beeps when it hits 70°C. But that doesn’t mean you have to scald your mate into bitterness. With a little practice (and a keen eye), you can read the bubbles like tea leaves and pour with confidence.

Here’s how to tell if your water’s just right—no thermometer, just vibes:

🌫️ 55-60°C: Just warming up
What you’ll see: A gentle shimmer at the bottom of your pot or kettle. No bubbles yet—maybe a shy wisp of steam.

What it’s good for: Waking up your yerba. This is the pre-wet, pre-party moment. Calm. Respectful. A little zen.

💧 65–70°C: The mate sweet spot
What you’ll see: Tiny bubbles clinging to the sides—think “crab eyes” or “shrimp eyes.”

Steam? Wispy, rising slowly.

This is your golden zone. Bold enough to unlock flavour, gentle enough not to burn it. Chef’s kiss for sin palo blends or anything lighter like the CBSé Guaraná Energía.

🫧 75–85°C: Treading the line
What you’ll see: Bigger bubbles forming more confidently across the base.

Steam is louder now.

Still acceptable for some smoked and bold mates like Canarias, but it starts pushing past the comfort zone for delicate mates

💨 85–95°C: Getting a bit too loud

What you’ll see: Bubbles growing bigger and bolder, marching across the base.

The sound of the boiling gets stronger, like it’s got something to say.

Great for black tea or French press. But for mate? A little too enthusiastic.

🔥 100°C: Boiling over
What you’ll see: Rolling, roaring bubbles. A dramatic steam show.

If it sounds like a storm’s coming, it’s too hot. Let it sit for 10 minutes before you pour.

🌡️ Mate by Mate: Different Temps for Different Blends

Not all mates are brewed equal—each blend has its own sweet spot.

• CBSé Guaraná Energía, a light, fruity mate compuesta, tastes best around 68–70 °C. Any hotter and the guaraná notes may fade or blur.

• La Merced De Campo, with its smooth, herbaceous character, also shines around 70 °C, letting its grassy brightness bloom without veering into bitterness.

• Canarias, the classic Uruguayan mate known for its fine grind, bold character, and creamy body, does best at around 75 °C. 

Think of these as gentle nudges, not rules. Master your brewing, and taste a lot— and you’ll figure out what temp feels just right for you along the way.