User:Martinc29/Argentine tea culture

Argentine Tea Culture
Tea is a major influence in the Argentine culture. The country is best known for the consumption and the creation of Mate. Mate is made yerba mate, which comes from the South American Holly Tree which is closely related to a tea plant. Since it does not come from a tea plant, it is not considered a "tea", but it has many similar benefits to tea. It is high in antioxidants and has a potentially high level of caffeine.

History
Yerba Mate was almost ban by the Jesuit Missionaries when they first came to Argentina because they were afraid of how addictive it was. The Argentines denied the banning and began cultivating it more intensely.

Mate Tea is everywhere in Argentina. The tea is drank religiously throughout the country. Mate is viewed as a sharing activity. Around Argentina, the Mate will be passed around at almost every group event as well as being drank while one is alone. This brings out a level of satisfaction for those that receive the Mate.

Mate is pronounced 'Mah-Tay'

This specific tea is ubiquitous to Argentina and Uruguay. One is likely to see anyone in this area drinking mate out of a bombilla, a special straw, and sharing it with those around them.

Mate is a very good drink to have in the morning because of the high amount of caffeine in it.

The person that prepares the Mate and brings it to an event is called the cebador. The cebador is responsible for drinking the first cup of the Mate. After the cebador finishes the first cup, they will refill it and pass it to the next person in order. It is very important to follow this order, or it will be viewed as rude. In between cups emptying, it must be given back to the cebador to refill it for the next person. This tradition will go around until the mate is gone or until everyone is satisfied.

Glossary
Bombilla - 'Bom-BE-Sha' straw that the tea is drank from.

Cebador - Server

Lavado - "Washed" when the mate is gone. Mate - The name of the gourd and the drink together.

Termo - flask

Yerba - the loose tea that comes in bags.

Ritual
Mate is ritually supposed to be drank from a gourd, wooden, or metal cup through the bombilla straw. The tea itself is called yerba mate, is poured into the mate (which is the object it is drank out of being the gourd, wooden, or metal cup). The yerba mate should only fill up the mate about two-thirds of the way. It is filled up with hot water, drank by one person, filled back up to the two thirds level, then it should be passed onto the next person.

Do's and Don'ts
Do:


 * Compliment the cebador (server)


 * Be quick with the drinking
 * Eat the pastries provided
 * Pass it in the right direction after your tasting

Don't


 * Stir the mate with the bombilla
 * drink too much or slurp in an impolite manner
 * pass the mate in the wrong direction