Yerba Mate

Every household in Paraguay has to have Yerba. Nationals can´t live without it, you can compare it to Americans and coffee. It is a tea-like drink that can be made or drank many different ways. (You can read all about Yerba Mate here)

My favorite way to drink it is Cocido Quemado (burnt yerba mate). This is originally made burning the sugar and yerba with charcoal.

Recipe:
4 tbs yerba mate
3 tbs sugar
3 cups hot of water
milk or cream

Place the yerba and sugar in a pot on high heat. The sugar starts caramelizing and sticking to the yerba, forming clumps. When this happens add the hot water (stand back, be very careful!! caramelized sugar plus liquid equals explosion) let it boil. Strain it like any other tea or coffee. add however much sugar, milk ,or cream desired.