Origins in South America
This herbal tea originated in Argentina and spread beyond its home country. We’ll explore some countries where the beverage is popular and how it became widespread.
The caffeinated drink originally comes from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil where indigenous Guarani cultivated it. As the birthplace, Argentina holds cultural importance. The drink is ingrained in Argentine culture, with people carrying mate gourds everywhere.
Preparation Methods
The method of preparation varies considerably by region. However, some common elements exist. The infusion is traditionally prepared in a gourd vessel filled with leaves. Hot, not boiling, water is added. Brands differ in strength and flavor with earth, wood, grass, floral, honey, bread and smoke notes.
Popularity and Consumption
After Argentina, Paraguay produces the drink but is quite hard to find. Popularity grew in Poland thanks to Wojciech Cejrowski.
-
Argentines drink 14 pounds per person annually, ingested in 90% of households. They drink it for breakfast or before sunset, hot or cold. The beverage brings people together.
-
Uruguayans drink the most, mainly from Brazil. Their style contains all powder and small leaves without stems, a bit harsh tasting.
-
Syrians and Lebanese prepare the drink differently by adding leaves and stirring it. This differs from gourd preparation in South America.
Health Benefits
Aside from the flavor, benefits include antioxidants, reduced cholesterol and triglycerides. It has high mineral, vitamin and caffeine content different than coffee or tea.
Variations include an infusion like tea, and gringo style.
Cultural Significance
Most foreigners find the drink bitter but Argentines adore it. Consuming the infusion with others brings people closer together.
Where is the drink popular?
This caffeinated herbal tea originally hails from regions of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. The drink is most popular in Paraguay and Uruguay. In Uruguay, the largest consumer, 10 kg (22 lb) is consumed annually per capita. The flavor resembles an infusion of vegetables, herbs, and grass and is reminiscent of some varieties of green tea.
Cultural Roots in Argentina
Argentina is where it was first cultivated, and it’s where you can truly experience the rich tradition of drinking it. As the birthplace, Argentina holds cultural importance in the world of this beloved beverage. The indigenous Guarani discovered the stimulating effects of leaves, and they began cultivating the plant. Today, the drink is deeply embedded in Argentine culture, with its consumption being a daily ritual for many.
Sharing Traditions
The method of preparing and enjoying the drink involves passing around a gourd and bombilla among a group of people. This ritual involves passing the gourd around in a clockwise direction, with each person taking turns sipping. In addition to being a social activity, sharing is seen as a symbol of friendship, hospitality, and community in many South American cultures.
Yerba mate is prepared by steeping the leaves and twigs in hot water and consumed through a straw that filters out plant parts.
In South America, sharing is a cultural tradition that brings people together. It signifies friendship and hospitality. Specific etiquette around preparing and drinking in a group has developed over centuries and is still followed today.
Whilst rituals vary slightly between countries, there are universal etiquette rules like ensuring the leaves are evenly saturated before drinking and passing the gourd in a circle without skipping people. Following these norms shows respect.
Health and Wellness
The drink has therapeutic benefits as an energizing tonic. It could counter aging, boost metabolism to promote weight loss, and facilitate concentration due to its caffeine content. However, it contains caffeine so excessive consumption is not recommended for pregnant women or people with heart conditions.
The Guarani viewed it as a medicinal plant. When the weather is hot, the infusion is often served cold as lemonade, which is popular among children.
Global Industry
Although Uruguay has the highest per capita consumption, Argentina is the biggest producer and seller globally, controlling 60% of the market with manual harvests.
Bringing People Together
Beyond being a healthy energizing drink, sharing forges emotional connections between people by bringing them together and allowing them to share in a tradition with deep cultural roots.