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The most common way of drinking mate (iles paraguariensis) tea is infusing its green leaves with hot water in a special way (chimarrão).

However, there is also the option to drink the toasted leaves tea. This is specially common in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

I want to know the best (and perhaps alternative ways) to toast the mate leaves at home in a way similar to the commercial ones, like "Mate Leão".

Please note that this process is different from the "sapeco" which is a very brief exposure of the green fresh leaves to fire in order to conserve its color characteristics.

FredericoR
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  • I couldn't find a recipe, but in the old days people would toast the crushed leaves and branches on cast-iron pans heated in a small coal stove. You could probably try to roast the leaves in a gas burner using a regular stainless steel pan. – Fábio Nov 03 '17 at 17:27

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There are green teas in China that have a 'toasty' flavour and that is usually achieved through pan frying. I would suggest to try that in a pan at home yourself (without oil). Make sure the leaves are continuously stirred, or they will burn.

Check for instance this video (at 25 sec) for a demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmKkVLadXKQ

Lisa at Teasenz.com
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