What is the name of the special container to drink yerba mate?
The caffeinated drink is from South America made by steeping dried leaves and twigs from the yerba mate plant in hot water. It is drunk through a metal straw called a bombilla, which filters out the plant material. The drink is traditionally served in a container called a gourd or mate. The gourd is often decorated and can be made from materials like wood, glass, or leather.
The Sharing Ritual
Drinking mate is a social ritual across South America. Sharing the same gourd and bombilla symbolizes friendship and community. The preparation method varies across regions, but commonly involves:
- Filling the gourd with yerba
- Pouring hot water just off the boil over the leaves
- Passing the gourd around for everyone to drink through the bombilla
Glass Mate Containers
The glass mate fuses molded glass into a durable, heat-resistant vessel. This allows the temperature and flavors to be maintained. The glass does not impart any flavor, so the herb’s aroma and taste come through cleanly. Glass mates are easy to clean and portable.
Health Benefits
Mate has a gentle caffeine kick akin to coffee or tea. But unlike those drinks, it also contains:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Antioxidants
The shared social ritual around drinking mate started centuries ago and continues today. Gathering together in silence, passing the gourd around a circle, and ending in peaceful conversation are time-honored traditions.
Preparing Mate
You need a gourd, bombilla and yerba to prepare mate. Gourds come in various shapes, sizes and materials. The traditional method requires care and attention but rewards you with a delicious infusion.
Cultural Significance
Drinking mate transcends borders in South America. It is part of both rural and urban culture in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil. Mate is more than just a drink, it forges emotional links between people and connects them to their roots.
Origins and Culture
The caffeinated drink is from the ilex paraguariensis plant native to Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Brazil. More than a tea, mate symbolizes Argentine identity. Argentines even have a national day to celebrate this herb that unites them. Mate is healthy, distinctive, and a common habit for many. Aside its unique flavor, its use is beneficial for health. The herb is rich in antioxidants, helps reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides and contains minerals and vitamins. It has high caffeine content.
It is traditionally drunk from a mate cup or container called a gourd. You sip it from a metallic or wooden straw with a filter so the leaf pieces don’t go through. After being brewed, the flavor resembles that of green tea.
First Impressions
When I first arrived in Argentina, I saw people drinking mate everywhere. I had no idea what it was, and I was honestly intimidated to find out. Everyone had these special contraptions with them I later learned.
In Argentina, people drink mate at home, at work, with family or friends, following tradition, different steps and techniques in order to obtain the perfect mate.