National Mate Day: Everything you need to know about the most popular drink in Argentina
Discover the history, tradition, and social ritual of mate, the caffeine-rich Argentine drink that fueled Messi and his teammates at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Although not commonly said in the United States, in many English-speaking countries, your “mate” is your friend, a word used prolifically in informal settings. In Argentina, however, the term, pronounced ‘mah-tay,’ is a hugely popular drink that fueled Lionel Messi and the Argentina men’s national soccer team during their FIFA World Cup win in 2022.
During the tournament, it was reported that the Argentinian team brought 1,100 pounds of yerba mate, a herbal drink, to consume during their stay in Qatar. Between games and training sessions, Messi and his teammates were regularly photographed passing around and sipping cups of mate.
What is mate?
Mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich tea especially popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. It is brewed by steeping dried yerba leaves in hot water and then drinking the infusion from a gourd using a metal straw called a bombilla.
Mate has a bitter, earthy flavor. Like other teas or coffee, some people add sugar to create mate dulce. You can also experiment with fresh herbs, fruit juice, or a little honey to find your perfect personal blend.
How do you drink mate?
Unlike tea or coffee, mate symbolizes friendship, sharing, and connection. It is considered a social ritual typically enjoyed at gatherings of all kinds. It is common to pass the cup around a group of friends, or “mates,” sharing sips along the way. You can drink mate alone, but if you do, locals may expect you to share if they see you indulging.
National Mate Day
National Mate Day has been celebrated on November 30 in Argentina since 2015. The date marks the birth of Andrés Guacurarí y Artigas, the first indigenous governor of Misiones, who promoted the production of yerba mate.
So, raise a mate with your mates this National Mate Day.
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