Mate - more than just a tea

One of the most important habits of Uruguayos is Mate. Although Mate is also consumed in other South American countries, Uruguay is the country that consumes the most. Mate is a tea drink made from the leaves of a holly tree and contains stimulating caffeine.

In the 16th century, the Spanish conqueror and founder of Buenos Aires, Pedro de Mendoza, reported a drink of the Incas against exhaustion and heat. When the Jesuits settled in present-day Paraguay in the following century, they cultivated the cultivation of the Mate plant. Until their expulsion in the 18th century, the Jesuits monopolized the production and trade of Mate. By that time, the spread of Mate had already extended to present-day Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. Initially, Mate was the constant companion of the Gauchos, but over time, the custom was also adopted by city dwellers.

In order to drink in a traditional way, the calabash and the bombilla are used, and the preparation is subject to strict ritual. A small Mate ceremony can be incorporated into any outing, and you should definitely not miss out on this. Because only if you have drunk Mate, you have also been in Uruguay ;-)