What is Mate?
Mate is the most traditional Argentinean green infusion. A small cup called Mate (gourd) is filled about three-quarters full with Yerba mate, the dried leaves and stems/twigs of a plant. Hot but not boiling water is poured into the mate. The rather bitter drink is sipped through a metal straw with a filter at the end called a Bombilla.
You will probably find a lot of people drinking this, especially in Argentina and Uruguay, in all kinds of places: parks, offices, shops, streets, etc. It’s a social activity, normally shared between friends. During a pandemic, each person can have their own.
2025 Update: Mate culture has exploded globally, with specialty shops now available worldwide and health-conscious consumers discovering this traditional South American beverage. Whether you’re preparing mate in Argentina or London, this guide covers everything you need for the perfect brew.
Mate for Beginners (First Time Drinking)
Never tried mate before? Here’s what to expect and how to ease into this traditional drink:
- Taste: Earthy, grassy, slightly bitter – like unsweetened green tea with herb notes
- Caffeine content: Similar to coffee but provides smoother, longer-lasting energy
- Acquired taste: Most people need 3-5 sessions to appreciate the flavour fully
- Start sweet: Add honey or sugar for your first few attempts
- Temperature matters: Too hot burns the yerba and makes it extra bitter
How to prepare a good, tasty and long-lasting Mate?
The process may differ if you use a very small mate or if you like it with sugar or a sweetener. However, in general terms, the right way to prepare is as follows.
1. Make a slope of yerba in the mate. Optionally, to remove the powder/dust, cover the open area with your hand and shake it a couple of times, so the powder sticks to your palm and can be discarded. Additionally, the yerba can be filtered in advance with a strainer. Bear in mind that the powder can cause heartburn. The alternative is to use a yerba that comes explicitly with less powder (see the section about yerba below).
2. Add a splash of warm water to the “shallow” end of the yerba mate slope.
3. Insert the bombilla (filter straw) firmly into the “shallow” end of the mate. Most people discard this first mate (the word mate, in this case, means first drink) by spitting it somewhere. This step is very important if you want to make it last for longer.
4. Pour hot water (Between 77° and 80°C) into the “shallow” end of the slope, filling at least 3/4.
5. Drink, top up once finished, pass on and repeat. Continue this way until the flavour is out. If it is a rather big mate, at some point you can swap and start pouring in the other half of the slope, where yerba is dry. For this, you can change the straw position to the other side.
Common Problems and Solutions
Mate becomes bitter too quickly:
- Water temperature too high (keep between 77-80°C)
- Too much yerba in the gourd
- Not following the slope method properly
Bombilla gets clogged:
- Too much powder in the yerba (try pre-filtering or low-powder brands)
- Bombilla inserted incorrectly or moved around too much
- Clean bombilla with a brush between uses
No flavour or weak taste:
- Not enough yerba (should fill 3/4 of the gourd)
- Water temperature too low
- Old or stale yerba
What are the best Yerbas, according to your taste?
There are many options when it comes to yerbas, especially if you are in Argentina or South America. But nowadays there are many brands available everywhere in the world, especially to buy online.
The key difference when choosing yerba is your taste. In particular, if you like smooth/light or strong. This is the main difference, in my opinion. Besides that, it depends if you drink it sweet and/or flavoured.
The taste of the yerba depends, besides the quality of the plants themselves, on the blend (ratio) of leaves and stems (overall, the ratio is 70/30), and the time used to dry/rest the yerba after the harvest. Some brands, like La Merced, are known for using a full natural drying mechanism, while others accelerate the process by other means, so they can reach the shelves faster. These factors will influence your mate’s intensity, acidity, taste and duration.
Another factor which is not always considered is the amount of yerba. The more yerba, the stronger the mate. The same happens if you use 2 or 3 bags of tea instead of one.
As of today, my favourite yerba is, by far, Playadito. I discovered it 4 years ago and never changed it again. Smooth to the right level, with a low quantity of powder, great flavour and intensity. If you are interested in low-powder yerba, there are many videos on YouTube of people filtering different brands to measure them.
Other good yerbas on the smooth/light side are La Mañanita, Cachamate, La Union. The latter has a version with less powder (“Bajo contenido de polvo“). Another two that are worth trying, slightly less smooth, are Cruz De Malta and Anna Park (organic).
Moving to stronger yerbas, we can recommend Amanda, Rosamonte and the “premium” from Las Marias, La Merced. The latter currently comes in 5 different flavours: Campo Sur (the smoothest), De Campo (less smooth), De Monte (intense), Barbacuá (smoky) and Campo y Monte (balanced).
Among the flavoured ones, the most popular brand is CBSe.
Where to buy Playadito with the best prices in the UK?
Since Playadito is our top recommended yerba, here are the best UK sources for authentic Playadito at competitive prices:
- Mate Mundo – Specialists in South American mate products
- Uru Shop – Direct import from South America
- Casa Argentina – Authentic Argentine products in the UK
All three retailers offer genuine Playadito yerba with stems (con palo), fast UK delivery, and competitive pricing. Check each site for current promotions and bulk discounts.
Types of Mates
There are also many things to say about the type of mate (gourd/cup). The original, most common, and most recommended material is Calabaza (pumpkin). Most of them are finished with an aluminium ring on top. You can buy them online in all sizes.
As we mentioned above, bear in mind that the bigger the mate (and hence the more yerba), the stronger the infusion.
There are many materials used for mates nowadays, including stainless steel, silicone, wood, ceramic and glass.
Some of the types above, such as Calabaza (arguably the best material), need to be “curados” (cured) when they are new and before the first use. There are also a few ways of doing it. One is to add a bit of oil or butter to cover the pores and then use yerba, keeping it wet. This should go for 48 to 72 hs, changing the used yerba a couple of times.
2025 Equipment Guide and Pricing
Starter Kit Budget (UK prices):
- Basic gourd + bombilla: £15-25
- 1kg Playadito yerba: £12-18
- Simple thermos: £10-20
- Total starter cost: £35-65
Premium Setup:
- Artisanal calabaza gourd: £30-60
- Quality stainless steel bombilla: £15-25
- Stanley thermos: £35-50
- Total premium cost: £80-135
Bombillas
The type of bombilla/straw can also influence your mate’s experience. It is not about the taste, and it is not as important as the yerba and preparation. But a bombilla that “gets stuck” easily can cause trouble while you sip. A good one should give you a good flow of the infusion.
I can recommend the ones like the picture above. In particular, the ones with springs are easier to clean and less likely to get stuck. You can also buy cleaning brushes if needed.
Types of Termos (flask)
There is also a variety of termos/thermos (or flasks) where you can keep and transport your hot water, and which you will use to pour.
The most popular and more expensive kind of trendy item at the moment in Argentina is Stanley. This is a good brand and can maintain the water at a good temperature for longer.
Another popular brand in Argentina is Lumilagro. They are good value for money, but not that good for clumsy people, as they are not that strong, and the material inside is made to keep the water from breaking if you hit it.
An easier, cheaper and most common alternative can be the classic stainless steel thermos in the form of a tube. These ones don’t normally keep the water hot for a long time, as there is no special material for that matter inside.
Mate Etiquette and Social Customs
Understanding mate etiquette enhances your experience and shows respect for the tradition:
- Accept when offered: Refusing mate can be seen as rude
- Drink completely: Finish all the liquid before passing back
- Don’t touch the bombilla: Only the cebador (server) should adjust it
- Say “gracias” only when done: This signals you don’t want more
- Pass back to the same person: Always return to whoever served you
- Post-2020 note: Personal mate sets are now more common for hygiene
Health Benefits and Properties (2025 Research)
The infusion has powerful antioxidant and energising properties. Recent studies show mate contains:
- Antioxidants: More polyphenols than green tea
- Vitamins: B-complex, vitamin C, and vitamin A
- Minerals: Potassium, magnesium, iron, and zinc
- Xanthines: Natural caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline
- Mental benefits: Enhanced focus and sustained energy without jitters
Note: As with any caffeinated beverage, consume in moderation and consult healthcare providers if you have health concerns.
Fascinating Mate Facts (Updated 2025)
🌱 What are the only countries producing yerba?
Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay – the “Golden Triangle” of yerba mate production
🚢 What is the main importer of Argentine yerba?
Syria – surprisingly consuming more imported Argentine yerba than any other country
📈 What is the biggest importer of yerba?
Uruguay – despite being a producing country, it imports significant quantities
🗺️ What Argentine provinces produce yerba?
Misiones and Corrientes – the heart of Argentine yerba production
🌡️ What’s the best water temperature for drinking mate?
Between 77° and 80°C (170-175°F) – hot enough to extract flavour, cool enough not to burn the yerba
🏺 What’s the material of the first mates ever made?
Pumpkin (calabaza) – still considered the best material today for authentic flavour
🥤 What is Club Mate?
It’s a German non-alcoholic energy drink made with yerba mate extract
📊 What’s the mate consumption per person in Argentina?
According to the Instituto Nacional de la Yerba, it’s 110 litres per year per person – that’s more than Coca-Cola consumption in the US! In total, Argentina consumes 256 million kg of yerba per year.
🏛️ Who was the first to drink mate?
Guaraní, a group of culturally related indigenous peoples of South America, used mate during their rituals and daily life
⚕️ What properties does it have?
The infusion has antioxidant and energising properties and contains a large number of polyphenols, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and xanthines.
Mate Culture in 2025
Mate continues to evolve while maintaining its traditional roots:
- Global expansion: Mate bars opening in London, New York, and Berlin
- Health trend: Embraced by wellness communities as a natural energy alternative
- Sustainable options: Eco-friendly gourds and reusable bombillas gaining popularity
- Digital communities: Online mate circles and virtual sharing experiences
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe to drink mate daily?
A: Yes, in moderation. Most Argentines drink 1-3 mates daily without issues, but limit intake due to caffeine content.
Q: Can I add milk or sugar to mate?
A: Traditional mate is unsweetened, but beginners often add sugar, honey, or herbs. Milk is uncommon and changes the flavour significantly.
Q: How long does prepared mate last?
A: A well-prepared mate can provide 10-20 refills over 1-2 hours. After that, the yerba loses flavour.
Q: Where can I try mate in the UK?
A: Look for South American restaurants, speciality tea shops, or Argentine cultural centres in major cities.
Travel tips and recommendations
- To know the best Argentine food you can try, visit “Best Traditional Food in Argentina“.
- If you are in Buenos Aires, check our post “Best cool and quirky restaurants in Buenos Aires“.
- If you want to visit a coastal city, have a look at “Best of Mar del Plata“.
- And if you like good wine, visit “Best value Malbec wines from Argentina” and “Best affordable red wines from Argentina“.