How it works

If you would like to give mate a try but don’t know exactly how, bellow you'll find the basics that you need to know.
Equipment
How to prepare it
Social rules

Equipment

Mate gourds

They come in different shapes and materials. The original one is made out of dry pumpkin.

Illustration of different types of mate gourds
Bombillas

They come in different shapes and materials. The original one is made out of dry pumpkin.

Illustration of two types of straws
Yerba mate

They come in different shapes and materials. The original one is made out of dry pumpkin.

Illustration of a pack of yerba mate
Thermal container

They come in different shapes and materials. The original one is made out of dry pumpkin.

Illustration of two designs of flasks
Illustration of different types of mate gourds
Illustration of two types of straws
Mate gourd

They come in different shapes and materials. If you choose pumpkin or wood, you'll have to cure the gourd before you start drinking.

Bombilla

Straws are most commonly made out of silver nickel, silver and aluminium. Filter types also vary and which one to go for is a personal choice.

Illustration of a pack of yerba mate
Illustration of two designs of flasks
Yerba mate

It comes from the Ilex Paraguariences tree and will normally have an equal composition of dust, stick, small and big leaves.

Thermal flask

The temperature of the water needs to be consisten from the first till the last mate, so a flask or thermic bottle is a must.

Explore Yerba Mate Set

How to prepare mate

Here is the step by step:
  • Fill 3/4 of the gourd with yerba mate. Cover the mouth of the mate with the palm of your hand, turn it upside down and shake it for a few seconds. Finish by turning the gourd horizontally and slowly shift it upwards whilst removing your hand from the top. This should make the yerba stay at a 45° angle.
  • Heat at least 0.5l of water between 70°- 85°C. It is very important you don’t let it boil, that way you avoid burning your mouth but also because this will spoil the taste of the drink. Place the water in a flask or thermal bottle.
  • Pour a dash of hot water into the bottom of the mate, let it soak for a moment. Insert the straw in the same spot and gently push it towards the opposite side.
  • Continue adding water always to the lower side of the slope. Make sure to leave some dry yerba at the top, so as you drink your 4th, 5th, 6th… mate you can then wet those dry leaves and obtain a fresh taste throughout the 0,5l of water. The leaves shouldn’t be floating on water, if this is the case, you’ve added too much!

Rules of the ritual

The basic mate rules are eightfold...

1

Never ever stir the mate with the bombilla. If you took the quiz, you are an expert on this. :)

2

If you are the cebador/a, make sure to establish the order of the round and maintain it until the end.

3

When you are handed the mate, drink all the water in the gourd before handing it back to the cebador/a.

4

If you hear the cebador tell you ‘the mate is not a microphone!’ it means that you are taking too long drinking your mate, and that you finish it  pass it back.

5

Out of respect, rest the bombilla on your lips when drinking, never introduce it inside your mouth and even less lick it. As tempting as this might be.

6

Cleaning the bombilla between turns could be seen as an act of disrespect and anti-social behaviour.

7

When receiving the mate don’t adjust the bombilla, this will be a sign that you think the cebador didn’t do a very good job.

8

If you say ‘thank you’ when handing your mate back and are wondering why you were skipped the following round, is because by saying ‘thank you’ you are letting the cebador know that you don’t want to keep drinking.

1

Never ever stir the mate with the bombilla. If you took the quiz, you are an expert on this. :)

2

If you are the cebador/a, make sure to establish the order of the round and maintain it until the end.

3

When you are handed the mate, drink all the water in the gourd before handing it back to the cebador/a.

4

If you hear the cebador tell you ‘the mate is not a microphone!’ it means that you are taking too long drinking your mate, and that you finish it  pass it back.

5

Out of respect, rest the bombilla on your lips when drinking, never introduce it inside your mouth and even less lick it. As tempting as this might be.

6

Cleaning the bombilla between turns could be seen as an act of disrespect and anti-social behaviour.

7

When receiving the mate don’t adjust the bombilla, this will be a sign that you think the cebador didn’t do a very good job.

8

If you say ‘thank you’ when handing your mate back and are wondering why you were skipped the following round, is because by saying ‘thank you’ you are letting the cebador know that you don’t want to keep drinking.

1

Never ever stir the mate with the bombilla. If you took the quiz, you are an expert on this. :)

2

If you are the cebador/a, make sure to establish the order of the round and maintain it until the end.

3

When you are handed the mate, drink all the water in the gourd before handing it back to the cebador/a.

4

If you hear the cebador tell you ‘the mate is not a microphone!’ it means that you are taking too long drinking your mate, and that you finish it  pass it back.

5

Out of respect, rest the bombilla on your lips when drinking, never introduce it inside your mouth and even less lick it. As tempting as this might be.

6

Cleaning the bombilla between turns could be seen as an act of disrespect and anti-social behaviour.

7

When receiving the mate don’t adjust the bombilla, this will be a sign that you think the cebador didn’t do a very good job.

8

If you say ‘thank you’ when handing your mate back and are wondering why you were skipped the following round, is because by saying ‘thank you’ you are letting the cebador know that you don’t want to keep drinking.

1

Never ever stir the mate with the bombilla. If you took the quizz, you are an expert on this already :)

2

If you are the cebador/a, make sure to establish the order of the round and maintain it until the end.

3

When you are handed the mate, drink all the water in the gourd before handing it back to the cebador/a.

4

If you hear the cebador tell you ‘the mate is not a microphone!’ it means that you are taking too long drinking your mate, finish it  pass it back.

5

Out of respect, rest the bombilla on your lips when drinking, never introduce it inside your mouth and even less lick it. As tempting as this might be.

6

Cleaning the bombilla between turns could be seen as an act of disrispect and anti-social behaviour.

7

When receiving the mate don’t adjust the bombilla, this will be a sign that you think the cebador didn’t do a very good job.

8

If you say ‘thank you’ when handing your mate back and are wondering why you were skipped the following round, is because by saying ‘thank you’ you are letting the cebador know that you don’t want to keep drinking.

1

Never ever stir the mate with the bombilla. If you took the quiz, you are an expert on this. :)

2

If you are the cebador/a, make sure to establish the order of the round and maintain it until the end.

3

When you are handed the mate, drink all the water in the gourd before handing it back to the cebador/a.

4

If you hear the cebador tell you ‘the mate is not a microphone!’ it means that you are taking too long drinking your mate, and that you finish it  pass it back.

5

Out of respect, rest the bombilla on your lips when drinking, never introduce it inside your mouth and even less lick it. As tempting as this might be.

6

Cleaning the bombilla between turns could be seen as an act of disrespect and anti-social behaviour.

7

When receiving the mate don’t adjust the bombilla, this will be a sign that you think the cebador didn’t do a very good job.

8

If you say ‘thank you’ when handing your mate back and are wondering why you were skipped the following round, is because by saying ‘thank you’ you are letting the cebador know that you don’t want to keep drinking.
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Mate Corner designed and developed by Lucrecia Camiletti
Where to next?
How it worksYerba mate setAboutGalleryContact meTake the quiz
Where to next?
How it worksShopAboutGalleryContact MeTake the quiz