This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
Mate (or yerba mate) — is not just a drink, but a real cultural phenomenon of South America. It is drunk hot in the cool Andes, cold in the heat of Paraguay, and in Argentina, almost no passerby can do without a thermos of mate on the street. For locals, it's more than tea or coffee —, it's a symbol of unity, hospitality and peace.
From “herb gods” to national drink
The plant from which mate is made has a scientific name Ilex paraguariensis. It grows in humid subtropical forests of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. It was there that it was first used by the Guarani Indians, who called the leaves kaa <TAG1> — grass“. According to their legends, the goddess brought this plant to people as a gift that gives strength, clarity of thoughts and endurance.
When the Spanish colonizers came to the continent, they quickly picked up the local custom. Jesuit missionaries were especially active in the cultivation of mate —, they began to grow the plant in organized plantations and spread the drink among Europeans. And although some church figures initially considered it a “devil's potion” (due to its stimulating effect), over time mate became a favorite drink not only in the colonies, but also in Spain itself.
The real drinking ritual starts with the vessel — kalabasy, dried pumpkin or wooden cup, and bombillas <TAG1> metal tube with filter. The crushed yerba mate leaves are poured into the calabas, poured with hot (but not boiling) water and drunk in sips, often passing the calabas in a circle. It's not just a way to quench your thirst or get a boost of energy — it's a social ritual, a gesture of trust and friendship.
There is also a summer version of — terre, which is prepared with cold water, juice or ice. It is popular in Paraguay and the northern regions of Argentina, where the heat does not give hot drinks a chance.
Etymology and symbolism
The name “mate” comes from the Quechua language, where mati means “drinking vessel”. And “yerb”— “is a Spanish word that translates as ” grass. Together, “yerba mate” literally means “grass for vessel”, but for millions of people in South America, — is rather “grass for soul”.
- Mate contains caffeine, theobromine and theophylline — natural stimulants that work more gently than coffee, so the drink is invigorating but does not cause a sharp rise in pressure or a rapid heartbeat. -Every country has its own brewing style. In Argentina, mate is drunk strong and rich, in Uruguay — almost without sugar, and in Brazil they like the mild taste of greenish “chimarrão”. - Mate is often portrayed in films when it is necessary to emphasize the atmosphere of a calm morning somewhere in Buenos Aires or Montevideo — is already a recognizable cultural symbol, like a coffee shop in Italy or a tea ceremony in Japan.
Modern popularity
Today, mate is experiencing a real revival. It is exported to dozens of countries, and sales in Europe and the United States are growing every year. More and more people are discovering it as a natural alternative to coffee —, a drink that invigorates but does not exhaust. The leading manufacturers — Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay — supply yerba to more than 60 countries around the world. Even in Ukraine, specialized mate stores have appeared in recent years, and in coffee shops you can find “mate latte” or “terrere-tonik”.
Mate — is more than just tea from South America. This is a piece of culture, a way of communication and a philosophy of peace in the midst of daily hustle and bustle. In every sip — the scent of the forest, the echoes of ancient legends and the warmth of those who drink with you from the same calabash.
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