Yerba Mate

About

Yerba mate is the everyday drink of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil. It is the dried, chopped leaf of a holly that grows in the subtropical forests there, steeped in hot water and sipped through a metal straw. It has caffeine and a grassy, slightly bitter taste, and it is made to be shared and topped up again and again. Most of our yerba comes in 1kg and 500g packs, from Argentine brands such as Taragui, Rosamonte, Playadito and Union, the Uruguayan brand Canarias, and organic Pajarito from Paraguay. Con palo means the leaf is mixed with stems, which drinks smoother. Sin palo is leaf only, stronger and more bitter. New to mate? Start with a con palo, or with a box of mate cocido tea bags. To drink it, fill a gourd or cup about two thirds with yerba, wet it with a little cool water, then pour in water at around 70 to 80°C, never boiling. Push in the bombilla and sip. The Playadito starter kit has the yerba, a mate cup and a bombilla in one box.