Yerba is a loose leaf tea that is consumed from a mate—basically a small, wide-mouthed cup—with a straw. This straw is somewhat hard to explain so I include a picture below. Each time a person drinks the yerba mate out of the straw, the person is drinking the hot (not boiled, hot) water that is poured into the mate that creates the “tea” that the person is drinking. After the person drinks the tea, the mate is refilled and the process proceeds.
Yerba mate can be consumed just by one person, usually in the morning, when studying, or when having the “mediatarde,” which is a specific snack eaten around 18.30/19.30 (afternoon for Argentineans, evening for Americans). However, yerba mate is a very social thing (like another one of my favorite activities…) where one person makes the yerba mate to the liking of each person consuming the mate, and the mate is passed around in a specific order. Once the order made is broken, it is apparently not only looked down upon, but there is some superstitious bad luck saying that goes along with it. The yerba must be changed as well. When the yerba floats to the top after the water is poured within the mate, that signifies that the yerba should have been changed already (the “palos” are swimming). Usually people who are not very good at making the mate have this occur. Finally, if you are the last person to enjoy the mate within the group (because the hot water is finished let’s say), the saying is that that person will get married.
Yerba mate can be consumed sweet (dulce) or bitter (amargo). I, personally, like it bitter; however I am open to drinking it sweet as well. Obviously, there are different levels of sweetness as well—very sweet (muy dulce), somewhat sweet (mas o menos dulce) or a little sweet (un poquito dulce). Each person enjoys it a different way. In addition to the level of sweetness, yerba can combined in a number of ways. Yerba itself is a bitter green tea, yet, many people place orange peel, lemon peel, lime peel, other herbs such as peppermint and/or burro to add extra flavor. You can even purchase yerba that contains some of these additions already. I personally use yerba mate that already has a little bit of peppermint, and I add a little more peppermint and burro.
Obviously, I am American, not from Argentina. Therefore, when I first offered to make mate for a group of friends, they all hesitated but, just because they are super nice, allowed me to go along and make the mate. People here say it like it is, so at the beginning, when I did not quite understand all the little rules about making the mate, I messed up once in a while and they told me that I was not very good. I admit. Generally, the water would be too hot or I would let the palos swim too soon. However, now I am asked to make the mate! I am not a proud person, but I do admit I am proud that I have accomplished a slight expertise in yerba mate-making. It makes me feel like I have accomplished something important as an Argentinean—I can make good mate! Plus, since I am missing one social activity from my life—usually includes a porch, a table, chairs, and friends—this can most certainly take its place.
K bye.
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