What’s that thing that Argentinians drink — the thing that looks kind of like “wet grass in a bowl”, according to this curious soul?
Well, that’s mate. (Pronounced MAH-tay). It’s a type of tea, literally speaking, and it looks something like this:
The thing is, mate isn't “just” tea. It's more of a social affair, complete with its own lingo, which you should know to fully understand it. We’ll get into all of that in this article, including how to actually make your own mate.
But here's the kicker: there's one major faux pas you need to avoid like the plague if you don't want to become public enemy number one.
Ready for the inside scoop? Let's roll!
What is mate, really?
Mate, the drink
Ah, mate – a caffeine-rich herbal drink, brewed by steeping dried yerba mate leaves in hot water, and served in a special cup with a metal straw known as a bombilla.
This elixir hails from the lush lands of South America (particularly Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil), where it holds court as a cultural mainstay.
But if the answer to the question “what is mate?” is just that, why all the fuss? There are interesting drinks everywhere! Well, it's not just a beverage; it's a social affair!
Mate, the social ritual
Unlike your usual teas or coffees, mate demands a communal sip. Picture this: passing around the cup, sharing sips with friends or colleagues — it's practically a rite of passage!
Sure, you can enjoy mate solo, but when you're in the company of others, it's almost expected that you’ll offer to share.
Whether you're in the office, at uni, or kicking back with pals in the park, you'll find folks toting their trusty thermoses, always ready for a mate break.
And don't sweat it if you'd rather pass — no harm, no foul!
But check this out: even football legends like Lionel Messi tote their own mate gear, ready to sip and socialize. Miss his mate time at 9:30 am? Oh, you'd better believe he's miffed!
So, maybe it's time to hop on the mate train! Not only is it good for your health, but it's also a prime opportunity to mingle and make new friends in South America.
And if you specifically want to learn Argentine Spanish, enjoying mate can be a perfect starting point!
But before you dive in headfirst, let's get you acquainted with some mate lingo. Ever found yourself stumped by an Argentine pal dropping phrases like "poné la pava" or "cebar unos amargos"?
Fear not — our handy glossary of mate terms has got your back!
Glossary of mate-related words
Behold, the treasure trove of mate terms you've been waiting for! These are the must-know words to navigate the world of mate like a seasoned pro. Sure, there might be a few more out there, but these are the essentials that'll have you blending in at your next mate gathering!
Let's dive in:
- amargo: This one's Spanish for “bitter.” It's mate without sugar, the way it's traditionally enjoyed. But fun fact “amargo” also doubles as a catch-all term for mate itself because, well, it's usually brewed on the bitter side.
- bombilla: Say hello to the trusty metal straw that's your mate-drinking sidekick. With its nifty filter-end, it keeps those pesky mate leaves out of your sip.
- cebar: Here's the fancy word for pouring hot water into your mate cup. And the person doing the pouring? That's the cebador, the master of the mate ceremony!
- dulce: Sweet tooth acting up? Say no more — this one's Spanish for “sweet”, the kind of mate with a little sugar added in. And when you're offering someone a sip, they might ask: "Dulce o amargo?" (Sweet or bitter?).
- gracias: You know this one — it's “thank you”. But in the world of mate, it's more than just manners. Saying “gracias” to the cebador is like saying, "Thanks, but I'm good." It's your polite way of declining another sip. I remember when I was enjoying a good tereré (see term below) and suddenly I wasn’t given any more - of course, I had thanked the cebador!
- tereré: Feeling the heat? Time to cool off with some tereré – sweet, cold mate served with sugar, ice and maybe even a splash of fruit juice. It's a hit in the hotter regions of South America, and for good reason!
- lavarse: Uh-oh, mate gone bland? That's what happens when it's been brewed to death, losing all its flavor. We call that “lavarse” — when the taste has been washed right out. Not a fate you want for your mate!
- mate: Ah, the star of the show! Mate isn't just a drink — it's also the name of the cup it's served in. Typically made from a gourd, it's the vessel that holds your precious brew.
- mateada: Time to gather 'round, folks! A mateada is where friends come together for a good old-fashioned mate session. Yep, there's even a word for it!
- matear: Here's the verb form of mate — the act of drinking it, to be exact. So when you're sipping away, you're mateando like a champ!
- mateína: Caffeine alert! Mateína is the magical substance that gives mate its energizing kick. Forget coffee — this is where it's at!
- matero: Meet the mate enthusiast, the one who's always down for a good brew. That's the matero — the mate aficionado who knows their stuff.
- pava: Time to fire up the kettle! In Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, it's called pava and not tetera. Who needs tea when you've got mate, right? And when you're told to "poner la pava," it means it's time to boil some water for mate.
- polvo: Don't let this one cloud your mate experience! Polvo is the pesky powder or dust that sometimes lurks in your yerba mate, leftover from the milling process.
- tapar(se): Picture this: your bombilla gets clogged with dust or herbs. More on this later. Trust me, it's a vital piece of information!
- termo: This trusty container is your mate's best friend. It holds the hot water, keeping your mate game strong no matter where you go.
- yerba: Last but not least, meet yerba — the lifeblood of mate. It's the stuff that gets ground up to make your favorite brew, and it's essential for every mate session.
So there you have it — your crash course in all things about mate! With these words under your belt, you'll be mateando like a pro in no time. Cheers to that!
How to prepare mate
Once you've got the hang of the basic lingo, you're ready to join in a mateada — whether you're super into it or not, it's all about embracing the culture.
Picture this: you're hanging out in a circle, chit-chatting, when someone offers you a sip. No worries if you're not feeling it — just politely decline and keep on chatting.
But hey, if you decide to give mate a whirl and find that you actually dig it, then it's time to master the art of preparation. How do you prepare mate? Well, there’s lot of ways you could prepare it, but here’s seven easy-peasy steps to get you started:
- Fill your mate cup (gourd) about 60% full with yerba mate.
- Cover the cup with your hand, flip it over, and give it a gentle shake to clear out any leftover powder.
- Now, tip the cup sideways and give it another light shake, ensuring the yerba settles at a cozy 60-degree angle – like a little hill.
- Next up, pour in some hot water (about 80°C/180°F), filling only about a third of the cup. Pop in your trusty filter-straw and let the mate brew for a couple of minutes. [Important note: whatever you do, never stir the straw! It could get clogged up — not a fun time!]
- Take a sip to clear out any excess water that didn't get absorbed by the leaves.
- Add a splash of more water along the straw to keep the leaves nice and dry. That way, your mate will stay flavorful for longer.
- And voila! You have learned how to prepare mate and you're all set to savor it. Sit back, relax, and enjoy!
Here's all that in video form. The video doesn't have English subtitles, but if you watch along with the above steps, you'll be able to follow along.
How to drink mate properly (don’t make the mistake I did):
How do you drink mate? Is there really a proper way to do it? Let me share a true little tale with you.
Now, I'm not the type to sip on mate every single day. But when I'm at uni or hanging out with friends who are into it, I'll sometimes join in for a sip or two.
See, my family's more into mate cocido – a variation where you just toss a bag of mate leaves into hot water, like how you'd make any other cup of tea.
So, I never really got the whole mate ritual until one fateful day in 2018. I remember it well — it was one of those never-ending Friday classes at uni, and mate was an essential companion for us.
At some point, a classmate offered me a sip, and being polite, I said yes. Now, keep in mind, I'm used to stirring my tea and other drinks with sugar.
So, without even thinking, I started stirring my mate. Big mistake!
My friend let out a horrified "nooo, what are you doing?!" — and I was totally clueless.
"What? I'm just stirring the mate!" I replied innocently.
Well, let me tell you, that didn't fly. My friend wasted no time spreading the word: "Hey guys, check out what Kevin's doing! Can you believe it?"
And just like that, I became the laughingstock of the mate circle. Lesson learned, I guess!
If I'd read an article like this before, maybe I wouldn't have made such a rookie mistake and that way I would have saved my reputation as a true Argentine. But live and learn, right?
So now it’s your turn! Get out there, live the culture, learn, and while you’re on it, take five minutes to enjoy a delicious mate.
