Recipes

Mate is the national drink in Argentina, but is also a custom in Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil.  Mate is an infusion prepared with ground leaves of a plant called Yerba Mate. This plant is native to South America. It is drunk in a wooden cup also called “mate”, using a metal straw to drink. Everybody drinks from the same straw. 

Usually it is taken with hot water, but not boiled. This water is put in a tea kettle or in a thermos. It can be drunk sweet or bitter. Some people prefer adding sugar because of the bitter taste. If you want you can also put other herbs like mint, or fruit peels fruit such as lemon, orange and grapefruit. Even ground coffee is a good choice.

Preparation

First, put some yerba mate inside the mate cup, filling it approximately 75%. It is common to cover the hole with your hand and shake it upside down, which prevents yerba dust in the straw. Then, put a bit of water, (it is important to put the water in one side of the cup). Let it stand for a minute and introduce the straw in the wet side. Pour more hot water and it is ready to drink. The water must be at 84ºC, but can be drunk hot or cold.

Finally, for Argentines mate is not only a beverage, it is a symbol of friendship, of brotherhood. In every house, you can never miss yerba mate. Everyone from children to adults drinks mate. Any time of day the people drink mate. Mate is a welcome sign, when someone comes to visit a home, they are greeted with a Hello and the question: “want some mate?” Mate is a faithful friend. When you are with friends drinking mate, it makes the chats more interesting, and if you are alone drinking mate it makes you feel accompanied.