Mate is an herbal tea from leaves of a South American holly tree called Ilex paraguariensis. For centuries, Guarani tribes used mate in rituals and gatherings to promote unity. They prepared it using gourds and bombillas. Over time, drinking mate took on spiritual meaning.
Today mate remains popular across South America. The beverage contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has similar caffeine to coffee, but doesn’t produce jitteriness.
There are three common preparation methods – traditional style with gourd and bombilla; with hot water like other teas; or with cool water like tereré, often mixed with fruit juice.
To brew mate traditionally, leaves are placed in the gourd, covered and inverted to mix. The bombilla is inserted near the edge, and hot water slowly soaks the leaves. The drink is sipped until the flavor fades. Sharing mate represents friendship in South American culture.
What is the tradition of drinking yerba mate?
Mate is a caffeinated drink with Indigenous origins widely consumed in South America. The bitter, tea-like beverage is brewed from leaves of a native holly tree found in South American forests. Guaraní and some Tupi communities first cultivated and consumed mate. Its consumption was exclusive to two Paraguayan regions. After Jesuits discovered its potential, mate became widespread.
Argentinians call this container Mate and drink it daily. It is a traditional South American drink found in Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. The bombilla acts as a sieve. Mate leaves are dried, chopped and ground into a powder then drunk through the bombilla.
Over centuries, mate’s popularity in Argentina faltered as coffee and tea took over. However, because of its unique qualities and flavor, it has seen a resurgence since the 1980s. In fact, South American soccer players brought over 1,000 pounds of mate to the World Cup last year.
Drinking mate involves sharing with friends, passing the gourd, and following traditions. As someone who enjoys this regularly, understanding these practices is important for appreciating mate’s significance.
Imagine sharing mate and laughter around a campfire with friends. One person prepares and serves, while others enjoy one gourd at a time over conversation, sometimes with food. Similar to coffee and tea in America, mate is commonly consumed in the morning. However, South Americans can drink mate all day long.
In Paraguay, mate continued to be a cash crop after independence but industry shifted from Villarrica north to Concepción and then to San Pedro.
Along with benefits like weight loss and better digestion, drinking mate symbolizes culture and tradition in South America. Mate leaves are trimmed by hand, dried, ground, and aged nine to 24 months before being shipped and imported.
Mate Consumption and Culture in Argentina
In Argentina, mate is the most consumed drink after water, across gender, age and class. About 100 liters are consumed yearly per person. It is present in over 90% of homes with Las Marías brand Taragüi leading with 20% market share. Although Argentina has 54% global market share, mate is gaining popularity outside Latin America.
History and Health Considerations
The plant Ilex Paraguariensis resembles tea and was introduced by Guaranis. It’s poisonous if not dried before drinking, something the Guaranis discovered when they became ill drinking undried leaves. Now it’s brewed from dried leaves and stems, going through a strict process before being imported. The name comes from "Mati", Quichuan for gourd, used to drink it from.
Researchers are working with producers on more efficient drying methods to avoid carcinogens sometimes found when traditionally smoke-drying mate leaves. To avoid potential hazards, health conscious consumers can choose non-smoked varieties.
In addition to health benefits, Argentines now drink mate to enjoy and preserve tradition. They can drink it anytime as it contains less tannins than tea but more caffeine than coffee or green tea, causing no jitters. With vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, it has advantages.
What is the ritual of drinking yerba mate?
Mate is from the Ilex paraguariensis holly species grown in South America. Groups traditionally share the drink outdoors. The ritual uses a dried gourd, metal straw to filter leaves, and thermos of hot water.
"Yerba mate" means “gourd herb”. Guarani Indians first used a sugar cane stick to sip. The metal straw filters leaves while drinking. It should only sip, not slurp.
Despite tradition, mate consumption is rapidly evolving today. It has health benefits with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Indigenous peoples discovered mate for stamina. It was a dietary staple for agriculture and lifestyles. It also had medicinal uses. Immigrants from Syria and Lebanon who arrived in South America exchanged customs, like drinking mate socially, not individually.
In Paraguay, mate integrates people tribally, passing the gourd. This ritual creates bonds not found in individual drinking. Through poems and songs, Argentines make tangible mate’s significance, consuming over seven kilos per person annually.
What to do with yerba mate after drinking?
Mate is found in Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. This caffeine-rich drink from dried yerba mate leaves mixed with hot water contains less tannins than tea but more caffeine than coffee or green tea, causing no jitters. It has health benefits with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
In Argentina, mate brings people closer through conversation. “Shall we drink some mates?” invites chatting and debate.
When preparing mate, for Argentinian and Paraguayan yerba shaking the gourd to reposition particles is unnecessary, only for finer cut yerba.
Drinking mate involves etiquette and cultural meaning. It is a social experience of sharing gourds and following tradition. Understanding these customs is important for appreciating cultural significance. Mate brings people together through conversation.