To make sure you’re pronouncing it properly in conversations with native speakers, it can be helpful to practice beforehand and listen carefully to their pronunciation as well.
The word can be divided into three syllables: ‘yer,’ ‘ba,’ and ‘mate.’ To improve pronunciation, here are three tips to keep in mind: Emphasize the first syllable ‘yer’ by pronouncing it like the word ‘year’ without the ‘r’ sound. Say the second syllable ‘ba’ as if you were saying the word ‘bah’ without the ‘h’ sound. Finish by pronouncing the last syllable ‘mate’ like the word ‘mah-teh.’
Taste and Flavor
It has a unique and robust flavor. It is often described as having a bitter, earthy, and grassy taste. Some people also note a slightly smoky or nutty undertone. The taste can vary depending on the brand and type, as well as the brewing method.
What is Mate?
Mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, prepared by steeping dried leaves in hot water. It is defined by law as the national infusion of Argentina. On average, some 30 million Argentines consume 220 million kilograms per year, which is roughly seven and a half kilograms per person, per year.
How to Prepare Mate
To prepare it, you will need a hollowed-out gourd called a “mate” and a metal or bamboo straw called a “bombilla.” Fill the mate gourd with leaves, leaving some space at the top. Insert the bombilla into the mate and pour hot water (not boiling) into the gourd until it reaches the top. Let it steep for a few minutes before enjoying.
Consumption in Argentina
Argentines drink it daily, up to 14 lbs per person each year. It’s consumed in 90% of households. Argentines usually drink it for breakfast or before sunset, hot or cold depending on weather. Recently it has become convenient to drink canned or bottled, anytime. Beyond a habit, drinking together forges emotional connections.
Compared to coffee and green tea, it has about the same caffeine but doesn’t make you jittery. Its stimulation lasts longer than coffee without a caffeine crash.
Its origins and importance to South American heritage make it a unique social experience. It provides an energy boost with more nutrients and less caffeine than coffee. Many would still agree today it was a gift from the gods.
An average drinker consumes 1-2 liters per day. This amount is likely safe for most healthy adults. It has a long history of traditional use in South American culture. It is often consumed communally, fostering social connections. More research is needed to confirm its health effects. But consumed moderately, it can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
Production
It is produced from holly leaves from an evergreen plant that is native to only a few regions in South America. The leaves grow more quickly in a controlled environment, so they are harvested once each winter.
Nutrition Facts
It contains an insane amount of antioxidants, natural stimulants, vitamins and minerals, making it one of the most complete and healthiest drinks known to man. It helps you breathe better, makes you feel a bit more euphoric and happy, lowers cholesterol, opens up your blood vessels for better circulation, increases focus, inspires creativity and countless other positive affects on your body.
It is far more than just a drink in South America. It is a social and cultural tradition which brings families and friends together. Being offered it is a sign of respect and in many instances, a great way to make new friends. Over the centuries, the art of sharing it has been passed down through generations. In fact, many of the traditions we still see today have been commonplace for years!
The most common way of drinking it is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients, so this really is a drink you can pull on all day. Meeting up in parks or in very calm parts of nature is part of the tradition and ritual of drinking it. Several people get together, stare one gourd with just one bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, and this creates a bond between the people gathered there.