Yerba Mate is drunk by most in certain parts of South America such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil. Although drinking mate by yourself is quite common, sharing it with people is the core of the tradition. The Yerba Mate gourd ceremony is a symbol of hospitality and friendship. When someone offers you mate, they are showing a sign of respect and there’s a whole etiquette surrounding the consumption of mate. Mate is shared transcending social classes and barriers: family and friends, businessmen during meetings, college students while studying together, you name it!

The practice requires a mate (or dried gourd), a bombilla (a special straw that filters out the tea leaves) and a thermo to keep the water hot.

There are many different types of both mates (gourds) and bombillas (straws); in South America, each person will usually have his/her own unique one. While mates are most traditionally made of actual gourds, they can also be made of ceramic, glass and wood. Bombillas (straws)  can be made of different materials including alpaca, stainless steel, and silver. The straw is reusable and has a filter at the bottom which separates the mate infusion from the leaves and stems. 

"Mate brings people together:
Mate is South America’s Most Social Drink"

The Mate Social Ritual:

In a large group the mate gourd is shared between people, but only one person is in charge of it. The person who pours the water into the mate gourd,  is called the cebador. When the mate is ready, the cebador takes the first serving and refills the mate gourd passing it to the next person, waiting for the empty mate gourd back. As the mate gourd gets passed around, it keeps getting refilled with hot water. Some drinkers like to add honey or sugar making the infusion sweet, instead of the original bitter taste.

A tip: never use the bombilla (straw) to stir, this is considered very impolite.

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Keep reading:

• What is Yerba Mate?
• Yerba Mate Benefits
• How to drink Yerba Mate
• Caffeine in Yerba Mate
• Yerba Mate Unsmoked vs Smoked Explained

Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Check with your doctor before incorporating herbal products into your diet if you have any questions or concerns.

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