You may have heard about ‘Yerba mate’ drinks recently, as an alternative to coffee when it comes to getting that much needed energy boost.

In Uruguay, Mate (pronounced ‘mateh’) is iconic, and it has been around for a while. Have you hit the afternoon slump yet?
Read on, as we may be able to help.

A little history

From pre-hispanic times, local indigenous tribes from around South America would sip the benefits of the crushed ‘yerba mate’ leaves mixed with water.

The infusion was used for elevating energy levels, but it also created a sense of togetherness and fired long conversations that would – literally- circle around it.

Mate was passed around in a circle, taking turns to sip from the same ‘bombilla’, originally a hollow stick with a perforated seed at the end, to filter the leaves. And due to this sharing element, it turned out to be one of the biggest creators of community.

‘The Mate, in its own way, evens out social classes, because it belongs to us all. It was drank by owners and farmers, chiefs and soldiers, wealthy men and slaves. And each time, the mate was the one creating the sharing circle, not the circle bringing the mate.’ – Daniel Vidart

Still today, you can see people in Uruguay drinking mate on the streets, at the beach, or at home. It has become a cultural staple that surprises visitors and feeds curiosity whenever it travels.

Yerba mate: the plant

Local to certain regions of South America like Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, the yerba mate plant has captivated natives and colonialists with its deep green leaves, little red fruits, and unique properties. It is know for increasing energy levels and focus, as well as aiding digestion and improving the immune system.

How to prepare it?

A step by step to brew your own Mate – do try this at home!

Step 1. Boil some water, put it in a flask.

To make sure your mates have the right temperature, ensure that the water is neither boiling nor lukewarm (80 C is the technical recommendation from the purists). So after filling the flask, pour a little cold water to cool it down a notch.

Step 2. Pour in the yerba and shake

When you’re pouring the dried leaves of yerba mate from the packet into the mate you need just
the right amount; you don’t want the mate to overflow, but you don’t want it half empty either.
Using your eye as a guide (forget about using a measure), fill the recipient three quarters full, then
cover it with your free hand, tip it upside down, then give it a gentle shake.

Step 3. Tilt, make a hole and pour in the water.

Make sure the water doesn’t go over the ‘montañita’ (small mountain) of yerba, but that instead it
fills the whole you made on step 2.

Step 4. Place the bombilla

If this bit goes well, you’re almost ready to enjoy your first mate! The bombilla is the metal straw used to drink the infusion and it should be placed into the moist area of the yerba where you poured the water.

Step 5. It’s brewing time!

Pour a little water each time and always in the same part of the mate where the bombilla is placed to make it last as long as possible. Note that the same person retains the duty of ‘cebador’, or brewer, throughout the round. If someone has the cheek to take the flask and serve himself, they deserve to be expelled from the round!

Step 6. Enjoy over conversation

During current times when sharing may not exactly be caring, each person can have their own mate. You can still gather around and enjoy a heart-to-heart with your close ones over this ancient drink, guaranteed to get the conversation going.

Ready to try? Discover our new range of artisanal mates to get you started. They have been ethically crafted by artisans in Uruguay, rescuing tradition while adding a contemporary twist.

Illustrations courtesy of turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar.

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