The South American brew is a tea made from the leaves of a tree called Ilex paraguariensis. Its origins can be traced back to the indigenous Guarani people, who used it medicinally. The Guarani introduced Spanish settlers to the drink in the 16th century.
The herbal infusion spread in popularity across territories under Spanish rule. Besides health benefits, they saw it as a sacred gift from the gods. The Guarani and other tribes used it in cultural rituals. They shared the drink communally from a hollow gourd called a mate.
Today, the brew is still central to culture in parts of South America. Friends and families gather to pass around a mate gourd. Sharing the drink fosters community and bonding.
The herbal tea has spread worldwide for its bold flavor and health benefits. It contains antioxidants that may reduce inflammation. The caffeine provides an energy boost without side effects like insomnia. It can be served hot or cold.
When did people start drinking the South American infusion?
The brewing methods and communal act of sharing mate have become ingrained in the cultures, symbolizing friendship and unity. This cultural significance has made drinking it a tradition passed through generations.
The South American creates a little mound to one side of the gourd so the flavor is released slowly. He maintains this mound and only pours hot water on the other side.
Being offered mate shows respect. Mate rituals vary by country but these rules are universal:
1) Fill the gourd no more than 3/4 full.
2) Do not move the bombilla.
3) Do not hold the bombilla while drinking.
4) Pass the mate clockwise.
Its caffeine content gives energy but is different than in coffee or tea. It promotes health while fostering traditions of hospitality and friendship.
What is the tradition of drinking the infusion?
The Ritual of Sharing Mate
For centuries, indigenous tribes consumed the drink, preparing it according to traditional recipes and rituals that emphasized community and hospitality. As the drink spread, it became deeply ingrained in the social fabric of countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and parts of Brazil, transcending boundaries of class or geography. To this day, sharing mate remains an important cultural tradition, symbolizing friendship and unity.
The ritual of preparing and drinking mate serves to foster social bonds. Typically, mate is sipped communally from a shared gourd through a metal straw that acts as a filter. Custom calls for the mate to be refilled with hot water and passed from one person to the next in a circle, with each participant sipping until the mate is exhausted. This ceremony represents hospitality and friendship; newcomers are eagerly welcomed into the circle to partake. While specific customs vary across countries, the emphasis on community and congeniality is universal.
What is the ritual of drinking the herbal infusion?
The dried leaves, called yerba, are typically sourced from the native rainforests. The basic cup for drinking is a hollowed gourd called a mate. A metal straw known as a bombilla is inserted into the mate gourd which contains the leaves. This method of brewing has cultural significance in these South American countries.
In addition to the traditional recipe, it can be prepared as an infusion similar to tea by steeping the leaves in hot water. It’s also enjoyed by continuously sipping it over several hours, adding more hot water as needed. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients. The brew is often enjoyed socially while gathered in nature. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.
The ritual of preparing and drinking the infusion is very specific. The gourd is filled about 3/4 with the dried leaves and dust. Hot water (not boiling) is tilted into the gourd at a 45 degree angle to allow room for the liquid. The bombilla (metal straw with a filter) is inserted to sip the infusion without ingesting leaves. Sharing the mate is customary in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay as a sign of friendship and bonding.