Yerba Mate Culture: A Global Look at the Popularity of the Drink
Yerba mate is more than just a combination of leaves, stems, and a handful of adaptogenic herbs. Did you know that yerba mate culture is a thing?
In fact, Argentina has made yerba its national drink. On November 30th, Argentinians celebrate National Mate Day, paying tribute to the cultural significance of this beverage.
Ola Mate here! If you’re curious to dive deeper into the world of yerba mate, why not learn about the traditions behind it?
Join us as we explore the history, rituals, and symbolism of yerba mate. We’ll also discuss how to prepare it and where you can find both loose-leaf and ready-to-drink yerba mate.
Grab your favorite beverage and get comfortable. Welcome to Yerba Mate Culture 101.
The history of yerba mate
What better way to understand the spirit of yerba mate than by looking at its rich and storied history? The yerba mate plant was first made popular by the indigenous Guarani people in the 16th century.
But this delicious herb wasn’t always called yerba mate. In fact, in the Guarani language, it was called “caá”, meaning “herb” or “plant.” And this particular plant was considered a gift from the divine.
The Guarani people were some of the first people to make tea infusions with yerba mate plant leaves. Furthermore, the mate was worshiped and also considered a currency.
Mate expands to Latin American viceroyalty
Yerba mate wasn’t only consumed by ordinary citizens. It soon spread throughout the viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata when conquistadors arrived in the area.
Jesuit missionaries were responsible for popularizing the cultivation of yerba mate, and in doing so, established some of the first crops on their farmland. They also helped enshrine yerba mate as a symbol of friendship and community-building by sharing it during and after religious and community gatherings.
The Jesuit people and viceroyalty would never have known that sipping this South American drink would soon become a modern ritual for connecting with strangers and friends.
Yerba mate culture as a symbol of national identity
From the Spanish conquistadors until today, mate has been a great equalizer. It helps connect people, regardless of age, background, or class.
In fact, in the 19th century, mate was shared among government officials during congressional gatherings to discuss politics. The ritual of mate is now enjoyed by people far and wide across the world, with Syria being one of the largest consumers of mate outside of South America.
What’s more, yerba mate has become a sort of national staple in Argentina and Uruguay, thereby attesting to its widespread popularity and ubiquitous consumption.
Speaking of consumption, let’s take a look at how yerba mate is consumed.
The rituals of mate
The ritual of mate involves three main household items:
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Gourd (Or cup)
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Bombilla (A traditional drinking straw)
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Yerba mate herb
The drinking ritual itself goes as follows:
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Pour hot water over yerba mate leaves in a gourd.
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Once the water is poured, the host will sample the first brew.
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The host then passes the gourd to the person next to them with the straw facing towards the person.
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The person receiving the gourd shouldn’t touch the bombilla.
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Note on etiquette: One should not say “thank you” until they’re completely finished drinking for the occasion. In mate culture, saying “thank you” signals to the host that you don’t want another refill.
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Each guest drinks the entire gourd of tea, fills it with hot water, and passes it counter-clockwise to the rest of the guests in their party once they’re ready to do so.
If you’re a beginner to yerba mate and you’ve never tried it before, we recommend sipping a little at a time. You’ll still be able to enjoy all the health benefits, but we always recommend going slowly, as the drink has a unique flavor profile that sometimes takes time to get accustomed to.
How to prepare yerba mate tea
If you’ve tried yerba mate tea and you’re ready to dive a little deeper into the culture, you’ll want to learn how to prepare yerba mate tea. In traditional culture, yerba mate is prepared as a hot tea.
But yerba mate also comes in many different forms.
For example, many people enjoy sipping tereré (cold infusions), ready-to-drink sparkling mate tea, or versions infused with natural flavors. If you’re looking to enjoy yerba mate as a hot tea, here’s how to prepare it like a pro:
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Fill your gourd (or cup) about three-quarters full with yerba: The yerba mate should fill most of the cup, but still be breathable enough for water to mix.
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Place your hand over the top of the cup and shake it: Doing so evenly distributes the yerba throughout the cup to create a more balanced taste.
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Pour water near the bombilla (or metal straw): Pouring at an angle near the straw ensures that the yerba mate slowly soaks and infuses in the cup/gourd.
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Don’t move the straw just yet: Once the yerba mate has been infused, don’t move the straw, as doing so can clog the filter.
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Sip and enjoy: Whether you’re a company of one or with friends, sip the delicious tea from your straw and enjoy!
Fast facts about the science of yerba mate
The Jesuits and Guarani probably didn’t know this at the time, but yerba mate mixed with adaptogenic herbs can provide more steady energy than traditional caffeine sources.
Did you know that when scientists tested caffeine-only versus caffeine plus adaptogen-based drinks, the latter group sustained more focus and mental energy? 🔬 Plus, no crash! 😀
That’s because when natural caffeine sources like yerba mate or green tea are infused with adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or lion’s mane, the result is steady, smooth energy without spikes or quick dips in energy.
👉🏼Curious to see the rest of the findings of this study? Check out what the findings say about caffeinated beverages that use adaptogenic herbs on our Instagram page.
Where can I try yerba mate?
One of the most important aspects of yerba mate culture is hospitality. At the end of the day, yerba mate has been used for centuries to bring people together in a spirit of friendship and community.
We’re in luck because we can now find it everywhere: in local grocery stores, bodegas, supermarkets, and even online retailers. As a result, yerba mate is no longer only consumed in South America.
Curious to try it yourself?🤔
If you’re looking to whet your appetite without going straight to the loose-leaf stuff, try our sparkling yerba mate tea. Each ready-to-drink can is bursting with flavor, and with only four grams of added sugar, Ola Mate is one of the healthiest yerba mate tea infusions on the planet.
Are you a Berry Coconut Lavender, Raspberry Bliss, or Grapefruit Ginger kind of person? Try all three convenient flavors, and discover which is right for you.
Buy today, and enjoy 10% off your first order. It’s our way of saying thanks for joining the mate community.
Welcome to the yerba mate family.🧉 To redeem your “Welcome 10% Off” coupon, or to try our yerba mate infusions, browse our online shop today. 👈🏼
