Mate
Argentine yerba mate prepared in a gourd
Mate is less a drink than a ritual in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay: a gourd (also called a mate) packed with yerba mate leaves, a metal straw called a bombilla, and a thermos of hot water passed around friends, family and coworkers, from the parks of Buenos Aires to long bus rides across Patagonia. One person, the cebador, pours and drinks first, then refills and passes it on. It's grassy, bitter and gently stimulating; sweet versions add sugar. Chef's tip: never use boiling water; at about 75–80 °C the yerba stays fresh for many rounds instead of 'burning' and turning bitter.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat 4 ¼ cups hot water until small bubbles form on the bottom but it isn't boiling, about 75–176°F.
Step 2: Fill the gourd about two-thirds with 1 ⅜ oz yerba mate. Cover the top with your palm, turn it upside down and shake gently so the fine dust sticks to your hand, then tilt the gourd so the yerba slopes to one side.
Step 3: Pour a little lukewarm water into the empty side of the slope and let the yerba soak it up for 1 minute. This protects the leaves from the hot water.
Step 4: Push the bombilla, with your thumb over the top, into the wet side right to the bottom. Don't move it again; stirring clogs it. That's the most common mistake.
Step 5: Pour hot water into the hole by the bombilla, adding 1 tsp sugar if you like, and drink all of it until the straw gurgles. Refill and pass it on. Keep going until the mate tastes washed out (lavado), after 10–15 rounds.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 5 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 1 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mate take?
- About 5 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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