Discover the Iconic Mate Tea that Fuels Argentina’s Culture

Yerba mate is an herb native to South America and is used to make the national drink of Argentina. But mate tea is more than a beverage to be consumed; it is an Argentine tradition! Unlike the Western coffee break, the daily mate ritual is a multisensory experience that creates community through the preparation and drinking of this iconic beverage. Come along with us as we learn more about this Argentinian ritual.

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba mate, or Ilex paraguariensis, is an evergreen shrub or tree native to the mountainous subtropical forests of Argentina that can grow up to forty-nine feet tall. The plant contains caffeine as well as other alkaloid components and has stimulant, diuretic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that were used by Argentina’s indigenous Guarani people for a variety of reasons before Spanish colonial settlers adopted the plant for their use.

Before it becomes mate tea, the plant’s leaves are dried, roasted, and powdered. Then, the dried powder is used to prepare either a hot or cold beverage, which is steeped in a drinking vessel (called a mate) and then strained through a metallic straw (or bombilla) during consumption. The most interesting thing about this Argentine tradition, however, is that it is ritually consumed in groups, with one mate being passed from person to person. Historians suspect this communal consumption of yerba mate was part of a Guarani celebration to honor the god of rain and water, but the true origin of the ritual has been lost to history.

Mate Rituals through History

Yerba mate is synonymous with Argentina, just like empanadas or asado! On any given day, thousands of Argentinians engage in the ritual of heating water, preparing mate tea, and sipping a cup of earthy yerba mate. But how did this daily ritual develop? Here is a brief history of the beloved Argentine tradition that is enjoyed by so many people today.

The Pre-Columbian Era

• Argentina’s Guarani people were the first to cultivate and consume yerba mate, using its leaves to create infusions and viewing the plant as sacred.
• Mate was sometimes used as a form of currency and in rituals, emphasizing the plant’s importance in the Guarani culture.
• The Guaraní word for herb, “caa,” is also the word for jungle and plant, which shows just how central the plant was to indigenous culture.

The Colonial Era:

• Spanish colonialists and Jesuit missionaries were introduced to mate. These groups played a key role in spreading mate tea rituals throughout Argentina, including among the gauchos.
• Jesuit missionaries were essential in spreading the tea to other parts of the world by establishing tea plantations in Argentina and trade routes to the European continent.
• Although it is now a beloved Argentine tradition, mate was once banned by colonial authorities due to its perceived negative effects - much like the Tango dance was once banned.

The 19th and 20th Centuries

• During these two centuries, yerba mate was popular as a staple in rural areas, but its use in urban centers fluctuated.
• Some Argentinians viewed the tea as something only poorer classes consumed, with members of the wealthier class boycotting the drink.
• Despite this negative perception, mate remained a powerful symbol of Argentine identity. During the 1990s, consumption of this beverage rose to meet global demand.

The 21st Century

• Today, yerba mate symbolizes friendship, sharing, and connection.
• Mate tea is consumed throughout Argentina, from cosmopolitan cities to the most rural villages.
• Argentina is one of the largest producers and consumers of mate globally, which has solidified the plant as a symbol of national pride.

Key Health Benefits of Yerba Mate

Yerba mate is more than a daily Argentine tradition; it is a plant that boasts many health benefits. This earthy beverage offers benefits that include enhanced mental focus and energy, weight management support, improved digestion, and antioxidant properties that can contribute to an overall feeling of well-being.

Mate tea contains caffeine, which can improve concentration and boost energy; increases feelings of fullness and helps in weight loss; stimulates bile and gastric production to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption; contains antioxidants to protect cells from damage; boasts anti-inflammatory properties to combat arthritis and other inflammatory issues; strengthens the immune system; and contains compounds that protect the gut from harmful bacteria.

All in all, yerba mate is a natural powerhouse packed with benefits – both anecdotal and scientifically proven – for those who consume it.

How to Drink Yerba Mate Like an Argentinian

Mate tea was traditionally drunk out of a gourd, which was also known as a mate, cuia, or porongo. These gourds were often hollowed out from a dried calabash fruit, but were sometimes crafted from wood or ceramic. While a gourd is the most traditional way to drink mate, the most common was to drink this beverage today is from a metal container. Metal containers are more durable than gourds, and are sometimes covered in leather to help maintain the beverage’s heat. But no matter the vessel, a metal bombilla is always used to sip yerba mate.

Argentine tradition dictates the proper way to prepare a cup of this therapeutic tea. First, you add the yerba mate to the drinking vessel at a tilt until the cup is a little more than half full, then you place the bombilla in it. After the mate tea leaves have been added, you pour hot (but not boiling) water into your drinking vessel. If you’re worried about getting the water temperature right, don’t! Argentine kettles have a setting designed to heat water to the perfect temperature for mate.

A daily mate break is a ritual often shared by groups of Argentinians. If you are invited to join this Argentine tradition, here are three simple rules to follow:

• When offered the cup of mate, don’t stir it! Drink carefully through the bombilla, taking care not to burn your tongue.
• Drink until you’ve sipped all of the water out of the mate, then return the cup back to the person who is pouring the drink.
• Enjoy the ritual passing of the vessel around the circle and the conversation shared with your friends.

One important thing to note when drinking yerba mate is that you should never say “gracias” or thank you when the mate cup is passed to you! Saying thank you implies that you are done and do not want anymore, which is considered an insult to your host.

Argentinian Identity and Yerba Mate

For Argentinians, yerba mate is more than just a drink. It’s a symbol of friendship, community, and national identity. Mate tea is a central part of social gatherings, and the ritual passing of the drink from person to person encourages connection and conversation. If you’re interested in embracing this Argentine tradition for yourself, consider booking a small group tour with Gondwana Ecotours and embarking on a cultural exchange that includes a daily mate break!