The beverage is traditionally consumed from a hollowed-out gourd through a special straw called a "bombilla." The bombilla filters out the tea leaves. The final tool is a thermos, used to transport hot water.
Its main purpose is to help people bond. The drinking ritual represents hospitality and welcoming. People drink this tea for its health benefits and gentle energy boost.
The Ceremony
In the ceremony, yerba mate is prepared in a small gourd which is passed around. Lots of yerba mate goes in, followed by hot water. The host samples it first. Each guest drinks, refills with hot water, and passes it counter-clockwise.
Being offered mate shows respect and makes friends. The art of sharing mate has been passed down through generations. There are universal etiquette rules you need to know to participate.
Traditional Components
Traditionally, the beverage is sipped from a metal straw with a filter. Gourds are passed around as a communal sign of friendship.
The traditional way involves a few components:
- a gourd
- a metal straw
- yerba mate leaves
- a thermos of hot water
Put the leaves into the gourd, add hot water, and sip through the straw. Drinking in this manner is part of culture in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil.
In South America, yerba mate brings families and friends together. Being offered mate shows respect. Over centuries, the art of sharing mate was passed down. The etiquette here is universal and will impress any local!
Yerba mate comes from leaves of a South American rainforest holly plant. The Ache Guayaki tribe has sipped it from gourds for energy. Argentinians drink it for breakfast or before sunset. But mate has become canned or bottled. More than a habit, getting together forges emotional links between people.
Preparing Mate
We’ll cover preparing yerba mate in a gourd and why mate is drunk with a straw.
Mate cups are gourds used to hold leaves and water. Mate is generally shared.
Unlike coffee or tea, mate has vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It contains mateine, a softer caffeine. When cold, mate is served with hot water. Called tereré, it’s popular with children. Keep in mind preparing mate varies between cultures but principles are the same. You need leaves, a gourd or cup and bombilla.
One person prepares and serves the mate. Like coffee in America, it energizes mornings. However, South Americans drink it all day – morning to evening. When offered mate and you refuse, you’re seen as rude.
The traditional way to prepare and drink yerba is in a gourd – the mate. Place the herb inside, shake or crush it.
Cultivated from forests, yerba mate leaves are trimmed by hand, dried, ground and aged. Indigenous Guaraní first consumed it.
The process of preparing yerba mate traditionally uses a bombilla and mate. You need leaves, a gourd or cup and bombilla.
Yerba Mate’s purpose is bonding through the ritual – representing hospitality and welcoming. In ceremonies, yerba mate is prepared in a passed gourd for sipping a filtered straw. The host samples first then passed counter-clockwise as guests drink, refill and pass on.
Yerba mate is traditionally drunk from a gourd using a straw that filters particles. It’s common to gather and share mate. As hot water is repeatedly poured, more nutrients are extracted. So one gourd lasts for hours. This ritual helps forge bonds.