- Joel Muñoz
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
Recipe for preparing a traditional Argentine mate
To prepare a traditional Argentine mate, fill the mate 3/4 full with yerba mate, shake it to distribute the yerba, and moisten one side with warm water. Place the bombilla on the same side and add hot (not boiling) water little by little. Keep the water between 70 and 80°C to enhance the flavor and benefits of the mate, enjoying every sip without moving the bombilla.
If you still have questions, we'll show you how in the video.
Although yerba mate is very versatile, both in its preparation method and its many health benefits, in its classic version, it is drunk hot and bitter. This is the preferred method among Argentinians, and it's no wonder Argentina is the world's largest producer of yerba mate and one of its main consumers: 9 out of 10 Argentinians drink mate.
In its traditional version, yerba mate infusion is drunk hot and bitter, the best way to enjoy its unique flavor and take advantage of its magnificent properties.
This infusion is always based on yerba mate leaves, which have undergone a drying and aging process that gives them their characteristic bitter taste. In Argentina and other mate-producing regions, the water is usually hot (not boiled), and the original bitterness of the yerba mate is respected; however, there are many options to customize it later to your preferences.
But enjoying a good mate in the morning or afternoon is no longer a privilege exclusive to Argentinians; today we can learn from them how to prepare and enjoy one of the best beverages in the world.
What do we need to prepare a traditional mate?
A mate (container), a bombilla (thin tube for sipping the infusion) and preferably a thermos to help maintain the water temperature for longer.
Good quality yerba mate.
Ideally, a kettle to heat the water, as it allows better control of the temperature.
Step by step: how to prepare a traditional bitter mate
Heat water to between 70 and 80°C. Make sure it does not boil.
Fill the mate 3/4 full with yerba.
Cover the mate with your hand, turn it upside down, and shake gently to mix the ingredients well.
Slowly raise the mate to a 45-degree angle and pour a little warm water on the side with less yerba mate to moisten the bottom.
Taking advantage of this inclination, we insert the bulb against the inner wall, trying to keep it fixed and not move it later.
Slowly add hot water down the side of the straw, until foam appears on the surface.
As the yerba mate absorbs the water and the level drops, pour it slowly over the bombilla until it reaches the top. The mate is now ready to enjoy!
The Dos and Don'ts of Yerba Mate
✔️Hot water is ideal for better bringing out all the properties of the mate, as it increases the solubility of its components. It's recommended to keep the hot water in a thermos to ensure it doesn't lose its ideal temperature.
✗ It is very important that the water does not reach a boil, as the solubility increases so much that in just a few rounds all the substances are extracted and the herb can quickly lose its flavor.
✔️ Pour the water onto the grass gently and always in the same place.
✗ Be careful not to soak the entire contents so you can enjoy the flavor of the mate for much longer.
✔️ Although classic mate is bitter, some people prefer to sweeten the infusion with a little sugar on the surface of the yerba. You can also add more flavor to the mate by placing dried orange, lemon, or grapefruit peels, or mint, lemon balm, or lemon verbena leaves on the bottom.
✗ The bombilla should not be moved so as not to alter the flavor of the mate.
✔️ It is recommended that the first sips of mate be taken in succession.
✗ You should not wait too long to drink the mate water so as not to let it cool, and you should drink the entire infusion until the mate no longer has any water.
The “etiquette rules” of a traditional mateada
Although during the pandemic, it's recommended to drink mate individually, culturally, it's customary for two or more people to share mate in groups, sharing the same mate and bombilla. In fact, drinking mate in Argentina is considered a reason for social gatherings and bonding, so people generally drink mate in groups, a tradition that dates back to the days of gauchos drinking mate around a fire.
The first mate is served by the cebador (the person in charge of preparing the mate) and this person is then in charge of preparing the mate each time and passing it to each member of the group.
When the foam subsides and the flavor fades, the bombilla should be removed and the yerba replaced.
Say “thank you” to the cebador only when we no longer want to drink mate.
Although this is the most common way to drink mate, there's always the opportunity to add a personal touch! In addition to traditional yerba mate, with or without a stem, there are fruit-flavored yerbas and even yerba mate with extra mateine to start the day with a boost of energy. And aside from the traditional form, it's also available in tea bags that you can prepare like a tea. On warm summer days, you can also prepare a delicious tereré or cold mate; there's no excuse not to enjoy all the benefits of mate!