This is a drink that you can see everywhere. From the hands of a taxi driver, friends sitting in the park, to even football superstars like Lionel Messi who are fascinated by it. Have you ever wondered why Argentinians and many other South American countries are so addicted to mate tea? And what is the history of this bitter and fragrant tea that makes so many people crazy about it? Let's turn back time to centuries ago when Argentina was not yet a country as it is now.

Yerbamate began in the tropical forests of South America, where indigenous people lived, mainly in the land that is now Paraguay, northern Argentina, and southern Brazil. The Guarani discovered the Yerbamate plant. This is a type of plant whose leaves contain caffeine and a range of nutrients. They called it ca, meaning herb in their language, and regarded it as a gift from the gods. They not only drank mate to stay awake but also used it in spiritual rituals, healing, and as a way to connect with the community. They chewed fresh mate leaves or dried them and brewed them with hot water in gourds made from dried gourds. The straw used was made from bamboo or animal bones.

Things began to change when the Spanish arrived in South America in the 16th century. At first, they looked at mate with a somewhat prejudiced eye. Some missionaries even called it the drink of the devil because it was associated with indigenous rituals. But then, it was the Jesuit missionaries who changed their minds. They saw the indigenous people using mate to work all day without getting tired. And so they began to study and became addicted to this drink, turning it into a business. They cultivated Yerbamate on a large scale, improving the processing of the leaves to preserve the flavor longer.

Thanks to them, Yerbamate began to spread throughout South America, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile. Mate was not only a drink for the locals but also became a part of colonial life. By the 19th century, when Argentina gained independence, mate had deeply penetrated the culture of the South American cowboys living on the Pampas plains. For these cowboys, mate was not just a drink but also a companion. They carried mate gourds, yerba leaves, and hot water on long trips to keep warm and stay alert.

Mate became a symbol of strong freedom and indomitable spirit. As Argentina modernized in the late 19th century, mate was not forgotten; on the contrary, it infiltrated all social classes. From manual laborers to the upper class in Buenos Aires, everyone drank mate. By the 20th century, mate officially became an indispensable part of Argentine culture, mentioned in poetry, music, and even literature. It even appeared in paintings and films as a symbol of unity and national identity.

Today, Argentina is the largest consumer of yerba mate in the world, with about 6 kg per person per year. You can see Argentinians carrying thermoses and mate gourds everywhere: parks, beaches, offices. Mate is not just a drink; it is a lifestyle, a way to connect people with each other. Even Lionel Messi cannot resist the allure of mate. He is often spotted drinking mate before matches, in the locker room, or even when chilling somewhere. Could mate be the secret that helps Messi maintain focus and energy? Do you believe it? So now we know where mate comes from.

But why are Argentinians crazy about it?

It is not just a cup of tea but the identity of Argentina. In a country where football, tango, and barbecued beef are sources of pride, mate stands alongside as a cultural symbol. Argentinians take pride in mate because it is intertwined with their history. From the indigenous people to the cowboys and now the modern generation, drinking mate is like a way to assert, "I am Argentine. I am proud of my roots." Imagine you are in Buenos Aires sitting in a café and see a group of young friends passing around a mate gourd, laughing and chatting. It is not just drinking tea; it is how they express their love for their homeland.

Even when Argentinians are far from home, they often bring mate as a way to maintain a connection to their country. And one of the most special things about mate is that it brings people together. In Argentina, drinking mate is a social ritual. You do not drink mate alone; you usually share it with friends, family, or even strangers. One person will prepare the mate, pour hot water into the gourd, and pass it to each person in the group. Each person takes a sip through the shared straw and then passes it back. It may seem a bit unsanitary, but for some, it is a symbol of trust and intimacy, similar to drinking from a communal jar in Vietnam. And this scene is common everywhere.

In parks, on beaches, or during breaks at work. Mate creates a space for conversation, sharing, and building relationships. It is like a social medicine that helps people feel closer in an increasingly busy world. It has a very distinctive flavor, bitter, slightly astringent, but fragrant and leaves a pleasant aftertaste. For some first-time drinkers, the bitterness may be a bit shocking, but just a few tries and you will be hooked. The interesting thing is that it is extremely versatile. You can drink it bitter without sugar to fully experience the original flavor or add sugar, honey, or orange peel to soften the bitterness. Some people even drink cold mate in the summer, which is extremely refreshing, and it has been studied that it is not only delicious but also good for health.

Mate leaves contain caffeine but are milder than coffee, along with antioxidants and vitamins such as B1, B2, or C, and minerals like iron and calcium. Drinking it helps you stay alert and focused without the jitters or restlessness that coffee can cause. This is why Messi and many other athletes love mate. It helps them maintain energy without worrying about crashing during a match. Ultimately, it is a drink for all classes. Whether you are a laborer, a student, or a superstar like Messi, everyone drinks mate, regardless of wealth or status. Sitting around a mate gourd, sharing mate is a way to break down social barriers, creating equality and unity.

In Argentine culture, when someone invites you to drink mate, it is a sign of respect and welcome. Refusing is somewhat impolite. To mention mate without mentioning Messi would be a mistake. Messi is not only a football legend but also a true devotee of yerba mate. He is often seen drinking mate before and after matches in the locker room or when relaxing at home. Once, Messi even brought a mate gourd on a plane when traveling for international matches. For Messi, mate is not just a drink; it is a way for him to stay connected to his homeland Argentina, whether in Barcelona, Paris, or the U.S.

And if you think mate is just a drink for Argentinians, you might be mistaken. Thanks to stars like Lionel Messi, mate has crossed the borders of South America and become a global phenomenon. Now, you can find it in Europe where Messi and his teammates brought it to clubs like Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain. In the U.S., mate is sold in supermarkets, and in Asia, it is gradually becoming a trendy drink among young people who love South American culture. Even major brands are packaging mate in cans, appealing to those who have never heard of anything from South America.

A few interesting facts about it. It is nicknamed the tea of the gods. Indigenous people believe that yerba mate is a gift from the gods that helps connect people with nature and the spiritual world. They even have a legend that the mate plant was grown by the moon goddess to grant strength to humans. Regarding its potency, mate is said to contain up to 80 mg of caffeine in a cup nearly equivalent to a cup of coffee, but the alertness it provides is gentler, not causing restlessness. Mate enthusiasts call this clean energy. In Argentina, November 30 is celebrated as National Yerba Mate Day to honor this special drink, and it is also very popular in Argentina.

People organize fairs to compete in mate preparation, and there are even competitions to find the fastest mate drinker. Mate is also the secret of artists. Many famous Argentine writers have drunk mate to find creative inspiration. They believe that its bitterness helps them focus and be more creative. As for how to drink it, mate can be consumed in more than 10 different ways. Besides drinking it hot and cold, you can add herbs and many other new methods that have been introduced recently. Mate also has unwritten drinking rules. In Argentina, when drinking mate together, you should not stir the contents of the gourd, as it is a sign of disrespect to the person preparing it.

Additionally, if you say thank you when passing the mate gourd, it means you do not want to drink anymore. So if one day you get the chance to visit Argentina or try it, don't forget to take a sip. You might find it a bit bitter at first, but be patient because behind that bitterness is a rich cultural story, and who knows, you might become addicted to mate just like Messi and tens of millions of other Argentinians.