What Is Mate? Argentina's Most Intimate Ritual

Mate is the first thing most Argentines reach for in the morning. It is the reason they carry a thermos everywhere. It is what comes out when friends arrive unannounced. It is what families pass around on a Sunday afternoon without saying much. You will see it everywhere in Buenos Aires, and most visitors never get to try it because it is something you share at home, not something you order.

What Is Mate?

Mate (pronounced mah-tay) is a hot drink made from dried yerba mate leaves steeped in a small hollow gourd. You drink it through a metal straw called a bombilla, which has a filter at the bottom to strain the leaves.

The taste is bitter, grassy, and earthy. First-timers often find it strong. Most Argentines find it indispensable.

What makes mate different from other drinks is that you share it, and there is a way of doing it.

The Rules of Mate

Mate has rules. Knowing them is a way of showing respect when someone invites you to their round.

The cebador is the person who prepares and serves the mate. They fill the gourd, take the first sip to test the temperature and consistency, then pass it to the next person. You drink the whole thing and pass the empty gourd back. The cebador refills it and passes it to the next person. The round continues.

A few things to know before you sit down:

• Do not say gracias while the round is going. In Argentine mate culture, saying thank you means you are done and do not want more. Wait until you are actually finished.
• Do not move the bombilla. The cebador positioned it correctly. Leave it alone.
• Drink it all. Do not leave some in the gourd before passing it back.
• Do not rush. The pace of mate is the pace of conversation. Slow is correct.

Why Mate Matters

Mate is how Argentines start their day, how they welcome guests, and how they mark the transition from work to evening. Offices have mate breaks. Families have mate corners. Friends reunite over mate before they say a word about where they have been.

Sharing mate with someone means you trust them. It is the simplest way we have of making someone feel welcome.

What Is the Mate Experience at Betty and Marcelo?

You have mate with Veronica in the patio of our Palermo Soho workshop and she explains it step by step while you drink it together. She drinks mate every day, so ask her anything.

It lasts 45 minutes and costs $25 per guest. The mate, yerba, hot water and bizcochos (Argentine pastries) are included, and you can buy the mate and bombilla to take home if you want.

Mate and Asado: The Full Argentine Day

The mate experience is ideal to combine with our asado experience. You can do both on the same day.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Mate Experience

Is mate safe to drink?

Yes. Yerba mate is a natural herb. It contains caffeine and other stimulants comparable to green tea and is safe for most adults. If you are sensitive to caffeine, just let Veronica know before you start.

Do I need to have tried mate before?

No. Veronica explains every step, so it works fine if this is your first mate.