Mate

Mate is a herbal infusion prepared with dried and ground leaves of the yerba mate plant. The drink originated among the native Guarani people who are believed to have been the first to harvest the plant and make mate. The leaves are traditionally steeped and served in a hollowed gourd, together with a bombilla—a specialized metal straw that also functions as a sieve.

The drink is an integral part of the South American culture, and it has always been prepared and enjoyed at various gatherings, while both the gourd and the bombilla are typically shared among the entire group. The infusion is rich in caffein, and it is charaterized by a slightly bitter herbal flavor.

Although it is a common drink in other South American countries such as Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, and Brazil, Argentina is the largest producer and consumer of mate. Traditional mate should always be prepared with hot water, never boiling, while the varieties may employ cold water, sweeteners, fruit juice, or other additions.