Mate for British Expats: What It Is, How to Drink It, and What It Means
Mate is the social currency of Argentine life. Understanding it — and learning how to drink it properly — opens doors to genuine friendships with Argentines.
Rosie CarterWriter · Palermo, Buenos Aires
On my second day in Buenos Aires, a colleague offered me mate at my desk. I'd been warned it was bitter and I'd been warned about the gourd and the metal straw (bombilla). I drank it. It was very bitter. I made what I'm told was a memorable face.
By month three, I had my own gourd, my own bombilla, and I was making my own mate before work every morning. It's one of the habits I most miss when I visit the UK.
What mate actually is
Mate (pronounced mah-teh) is a hot drink made by steeping dried yerba mate leaves in a gourd and sipping through a metal straw (bombilla) with a filter at the base. It tastes like strong, slightly grassy green tea with bitter edges. The caffeine content is roughly between coffee and tea.
The social dimension is what makes it distinct. Mate is traditionally prepared by one person (the cebador) and passed around a group. One gourd. One bombilla. Everyone drinks from the same equipment. Each person drinks the gourd dry, hands it back, and the cebador refills with hot water (not boiling — around 75°C) before passing it to the next person.
The rules
Never say 'gracias' when receiving the gourd unless you want to stop. Saying gracias is the signal that you've had enough. As long as you take the gourd silently and drink, the round continues.
Don't stir the bombilla. The filter at the base allows water to pass through the leaves. Stirring disturbs the fine leaf particles and blocks it.
Temperature matters. Mate made with boiling water is called 'mate quemado' (burnt mate) and is considered badly made. If someone gives you mate and it's scalding, they're either inexperienced or doing it wrong.
Sweet or bitter: Some Argentines drink mate dulce (sweetened with sugar) and some drink mate amargo (bitter, no sugar). When someone prepares mate, they'll typically ask your preference. In social situations, match your host.
How to read the social situation
Being offered mate is a gesture of welcome. Refusing it requires explanation (allergies, health reasons) — just declining feels standoffish to an Argentine.
If you're in a group being passed mate, drink, hand it back. Do not over-explain your experience with mate. Do not ask for it sweeter unless your host offers options. Simply drink it.
Starting your own mate practice
If you want to incorporate mate into daily life (and many expats do), you'll need:
- A gourd (calabaza): available from any tea shop or market for ARS 500-3,000
- A bombilla: metal straw with filter, same shops, ARS 500-2,000
- Yerba mate: available in every supermarket. Brands vary significantly. Taragüí and Rosamonte are the most popular. Amanda is mild and good for beginners.
- A termo (thermos): essential for keeping water at the right temperature all morning
Worth reading next
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mate something British expats should try?
Yes, genuinely. It's the social drink of Argentina — accepting mate opens doors with Argentine friends and colleagues. The taste is acquired but most people grow to like it.
What does mate taste like?
Strong, bitter, grassy — somewhere between green tea and a herbal infusion. The first time is usually a shock. By the third time, most people find it acceptable. By the tenth, many find it enjoyable.
How do you say no to mate?
Say 'gracias' (thank you) when the gourd is handed to you — this signals you've finished and don't want any more. Never say gracias mid-round if you want to continue drinking.
Sources & Links
Further reading — legal & visa
We cover the lifestyle side. When it comes to visas, residency, and the paperwork — these guides from Lucero Legal are the most thorough we've found.
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