If you're visiting Argentina drinking Yerba Mate is a must!
What is mate?
Mate (pronounced ‘mah-tay’) is a traditional infusion in Argentina and Uruguay, (and other south american countries, specially in Paraguay and Brazil).
The most typical way of preparing a mate consists in putting yerba mate leaves into a gourd, called "mate", adding hot water into that gourd, and drinking it from a straw called "bombilla".
The mate is refilled with hot water (not boiling) several times. This action is known as “cebar” (pour). When it is correctly made, one single mate can serve several refills, until it starts losing its flavor. (don’t worry, you can always renew the yerba mate with some fresh one !)
Experience the mate in Buenos Aires
If you want to experience the real feel of being a "porteño" (buenos aires resident), don't miss out the experience of drinking a mate. It is said it is an acquired taste, because of its particular taste. Once you acquire the yerba mate taste, you will become a mate fan!
Sharing mate
What makes it different from other infusions, is the fact that Mate can be shared (you also can drink it alone). When shared, a group of people drink Mate from the same “mate”(recipient/gourd) and “bombilla”(straw).
Sharing mate is an established social tradition, often means friendship and bonding. It is a part of Argentina's identity (also in Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil).
You can drink and share mate in a meeting with friends, at the office, when traveling, on your break time, just to relax... at any daytime. Lot of argentinians prefer having mate for breakfast and afternoon beverage instead of coffee or tea.
Our aim at el-mate.com is to provide a quick guide for first time tourists or anyone who wants to understand and experience this wonderful drink: el mate.
