The Anthropologist's Perspective of Argentina (Fact 4)

Mate is a type of tea ("yerba") found in South America. Loose yerba leaves fill a gourd with a bombilla (straw). There is a very specific technique to preparing mate correctly, such as placing the bombilla at the bottom of the gourd after pouring half of the mate in, and then pouring hot water across the bombilla until the gourd is full. There is also etiquette for drinking mate, like only the person who prepares the mate can pour the water. In Argentina, drinking mate originated in the pampas with gauchos. Now, it is very "in style" amongst the young people of Buenos Aires. Mate is known for its high levels of antioxidants, which makes it very distinguishable from regular tea when you drink it (very bitter!)

My first time drinking mate- not bad!