yerba mate

Argentine caffeine ritual

Yerba mate is a caffeinated beverage brewed from the dried leaves of a South American holly plant, popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.

Traditionally served in a hollow gourd and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla, it's often shared communally.

The drink has a grassy, slightly bitter taste: We passed the mate around the circle.

Also spelled yerba maté or simply mate.

South American

Argentina

Southern cone republic

UruguaySouth American republic
ParaguayLandlocked South American republic
BrazilLargest South American nation

gaucho · calabash · pampas · Jesuit · Montevideo

beverage

gourd

Hard-shelled decorative fruit

steepRising at sharp angle
infusionSteeping to extract essence
brewSteeped or fermented drink

thermos · hot water · sip · flask · dulce · espuma

social

sharing

Dividing among others

communalShared by a community
circleCurved closed shape
ceremonyFormal event marking occasions

friendship · hospitality · bonding · conversation · ritual · companionship · gathering · passing · tradition · camaraderie

stimulant

caffeine

Methylxanthine stimulant compound

energyPower to do work
alertnessActive mental awareness
focusConcentrated attention point

boost · endurance · concentration · antioxidants · theobromine · metabolism · mental clarity · vitamins · minerals · polyphenols

flavor

bitter

Sharp, unpleasant taste

earthyCoarse and unpretentious
grassyCovered with blades
smokyFilled with combustion haze

astringent · bracing · robust · vegetal · woody · toasted · green · fresh · pungent · strong

yerba mate

Argentina

gourd

sharing

caffeine

bitter

yerba mate

Opposites

Categories

Family