When mate conquered the conquistadores
Argentine mate is an infusion based on a plant called ilex paraguariensis. This plant was used by the Guarani before the arrival of the Spaniards to our territory. These tribes had a very particular way of drinking the infusion. First, they toasted the green leaves of the plant, then ground them, and finally placed them in a small dry gourd, which had been emptied of its interior. They poured boiling water into it and, using a cane and their teeth as filters, drank the resulting product of the ilex paraguariensis leaves and hot water.
With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors on American soil, the first Jesuit missions were established in Guarani lands. The Jesuits took note of this Guarani tradition, and in their missions and reductions, they began cultivating the plant that would later be called yerba mate. Here, it's worth mentioning that “mate” was what the Guarani called the gourd where they prepared the infusion.
Over time, the leaves of the yerba mate plant began a process of drying in the sun and then grinding. Thus, mate spread to all territories that are today Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay. In these three countries, drinking mate is of utmost importance. If we walk through the streets of Uruguay, we'll see residents walking with a mate in hand and a thermos under the arm, as if humans and tradition were indelibly linked.
In Argentine territory, the first to adopt mate as an irreplaceable beverage were the gauchos and household servants of the Spaniards. Over time, the creoles themselves—children of Spaniards born in America—began to embrace this tradition of drinking Argentine mate.
Argentine mate that breaks down borders
If we conducted a survey to find out how many households have yerba mate in their cabinets, probably the number of negative responses would be very small. Every house has a packet of yerba mate, a mate cup, and a bombilla, and if there’s no mate cup, people improvise with a mug. But no one will go without enjoying this, one of the best Argentine infusions.
The traditional mate is served only with yerba mate. It is consumed quite bitter, and an important detail is that you should never prepare mate with boiling water; it should be served at a temperature of about 90°C, just before boiling.
It's true that, in some regions of Argentina, Argentine mate has some variations. For example, in provinces like Córdoba, the mate is prepared—using the correct term—sweet, that is, with sugar.
Another common practice is to prepare the mate “with yuyitos,” which means mixing yerba mate with herbs to flavor it. These can be burro, peperina, poleo, mint. Combining yerba mate with these mountain herbs not only enhances the taste but also helps those who suffer from stomach acidity when drinking mate.
Another variation of Argentine mate is the famous milk mate. This tradition dates back to the estancias in Buenos Aires Province. In the afternoon, a pot of sweetened milk would be prepared, used to serve the mate, and enjoyed with fritters.
No matter how you prepare the mate, this ritual has a beautiful meaning. Argentine mate has broken down social barriers; today, all social classes enjoy mate in Argentina. It has completely bridged generational gaps—children, youth, adults, and the elderly are united around a round of mate. I’d like to give you a little tip: if you're going to drink Argentine mate, never say “thank you” every time someone prepares it for you. Good manners are reserved for when you want the last mate, because tradition says that when the guest says “thank you,” it means they don’t want more mates, and the person making the mate will automatically stop serving it.
No matter how many people gather around an Argentine mate, this ritual is an intimate moment. Sharing a mate and a bombilla allows our secrets and feelings to surface—our desire to share what we keep inside. Some readers who have never tried Argentine mate might think the writer is exaggerating, but drinking mate creates a cosmic connection with those we share it with. And since my hot water thermos has run out, it’s time to wrap up this note, because, also, drinking mate alone can be very inspiring.
