Argentine mate is the ground wire in my country. In this ancient infusion we trust the most important moments of our lives, whether happy or sad. If our mate glasses could talk, they would be excellent psychologists and therapists.
For us Argentines, mate is our signature drink. Far from entering into disputes about its true origin (Uruguayan, Paraguayan, etc.), we worship this drink every day, hour and minute of the year.
Did you know that in Argentina an average of 6.4 kg of yerba mate is consumed per year? Or that mate is present in 90% of homes? Figures that reflect how mate is part of our identity. And as such, you can trust an Argentinian if what you want is to venture into the world of mate and make this drink your main infusion.
Argentine Mate: When Is The Best Time To Prepare and Drink It?
Benefits of Mate for Your Well-Being
The benefits of yerba mate are supported by numerous scientific studies. Although there were already agreements on these health benefits, scientific evidence confirms the hypotheses1234.
- Yerba mate has a strong antioxidant action, protecting the body’s cells from deterioration caused by the body or the environment.
- Did you know that yerba mate is a natural stimulant? Of course, among its main components, caffeine is one that stands out. It stimulates the central nervous system and helps you stay alert and focused while carrying out your activities.
- Yerba mate helps reduce the risk of contracting Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, it provides a neuroprotective effect on neurons.
- Mate is synonymous with pleasure. Indeed, yerba mate is a natural source of pleasure, not only because of its components (like caffeine) but also because it is often a beverage that encourages social bonds.
- Yerba mate is an ally, although not a magic solution, for weight control and obesity prevention. This is possible if accompanied by a low-calorie diet.
- Is mate caloric? Not at all! Yerba mate is low-calorie, low in sodium, and rich in B vitamins.
- Scientific studies have detected better levels of bone mineral density in people who consume at least 1 liter of mate per day.
- Mate is the perfect excuse for social gatherings, reconciliations, moments with a partner, intimacy, and many scenes in life where affective bonds form the connection.
Essential Elements to Prepare Your Argentine Mate
Yerba mate
Without yerba mate, there is nothing. In Argentina, especially in Buenos Aires, buying yerba mate is as easy as acquiring the most basic and elementary product you can imagine. Additionally, the variety of brands ensures competitive pricing.
Mate cup
This is where we will prepare our infusion. There are endless materials to choose from, but we recommend wood or tin. You can also get a small mate cup, one shaped like a gourd, or large versions covered in leather, similar to those used by Argentine icons like Lionel Messi or Pope Francis.
Bombilla de mate (Mate bulb)
This is equivalent to a metal straw (preferably stainless steel) with a filter at the bottom to prevent yerba mate particles from reaching your mouth. Ensure the bulb is detachable because it will require occasional cleaning to avoid blockages.
Hot water
Mate is an infusion and is therefore drunk with water at an optimal temperature. To ensure your mate is at the perfect temperature, make sure the water is neither lukewarm nor boiling. The recommended temperature is between 70 and 80º C.
Thermos or thermal container
In 90% of the situations where you drink mate, you won’t have a heat source or a stove to keep the water hot. In these cases, you’ll need a thermos to store the hot water and maintain its temperature so you can enjoy your mate anywhere.
Remember that stainless steel thermoses are the best for this purpose, and make sure they have a suitable pouring spout.
Complements
Sugar, artificial sweeteners, and coffee are some of the complements you can add to your mate. Remember to add them to the mate cup, never to the thermos with hot water.
Sweeteners help to lighten the bitter taste of mate, especially for those who have never tried this drink. Coffee, on the other hand, is an easy way to add “caffeine” or a “stimulating effect” to the infusion.
Bag for mate disposal
After a certain time, or when you no longer want to drink mate, you will need to dispose of the yerba. Doing so in public is not an option, even though many people make this mistake.
You should dispose of the yerba mate in a trash can or in a bag that you can later discard in any waste bin.
The Best Times of the Day to Drink Argentine Mate
Breakfasts
In Buenos Aires, and Argentina as a whole, mate disputes a duel against coffee that will never be resolved. For many people, the first mate of the day begins at breakfast, accompanied by toast, cookies, bread, facturas (croissants and other Argentine pastries), churros, biscuits, and other foods.
Mate as a Snack for the Afternoons
In the afternoon, it is customary in Buenos Aires to have a third meal of the day. Again, the coffee vs. mate duel is recreated without a clear winner.
Unlike breakfast, many people take advantage of the afternoon to drink mate without eating anything. They prepare their mate as the only thing they consume to fill their stomach and wait more relaxed for dinner.
Mate at Night
Can mate also be drunk at night? Some people develop the habit of drinking mate at night, a custom that becomes more common during the winter months when polar temperatures require the consumption of hot drinks.
The practicality of mate as an infusion, along with the speed with which it can be prepared and the possibility of drinking it both bitter and sweetened, explains why yerba mate is an ideal drink to end the day.
Mate to Study and Work
The tensions, anxiety, fatigue, and anguish that can appear when we study or work have a natural and effective antidote: Argentine mate. In Argentina, there is nothing more common than seeing office workers, professionals, and students sitting at their desks with a warm mate.
The positive impact of mate on concentration and motivation is scientifically supported. Additionally, it is a drink whose caffeine levels are not as high as in coffee, so you can drink a full thermos (1 liter) without health problems.
Mate in Parks and Squares
It won’t take long for you to spot an Argentine drinking mate in a park or square. The portability and social aspect of the drink make many people decide to enjoy a morning or afternoon outdoors accompanied by their Argentine mate.
In these cases, we recommend purchasing a mate bag. It is a special bag designed to carry not only your mate cup but also the yerba mate, accessories, and even the thermos with hot water.
Mate at Social Gatherings
The natural function of Argentine mate is social interaction and bonding with others. Mate rounds are groups of friends, family, or acquaintances who share a mate, passing it from hand to hand. When the group is large, two mates are used so the wait isn’t long and the water is enough for everyone.
Remember that yerba mate starts to deteriorate after a certain time, forming a sort of “lake” in your mate cup. When you see mate particles floating separately in the water, it’s time to change the yerba mate. You can either completely remove the yerba mate or replace 50% of it, adding new yerba to the remaining portion.
Reference sources
- Yerba mate y salud, Instituto Nacional de la Yerba Mate, 2021. ↩︎
- Lutomski P, Health properties of Yerba Mate, Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2020. ↩︎
- Gawron-Gzella A, Yerba Mate-A long but Current History, National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2021. ↩︎
- Sajwan D, Chauhuan H, Kant S, Yerba mate -a study on the tea from Latin America, 2022. ↩︎
