A typical Argentine custom, to drink mate, is something that wakes enormous curiosity among foreigns who arrive to the country.
It is an infusion of yerba (Ilex Paraguariensis). Originally it was served inside a small dry hollow pumpkin and it is drunk through a metallic straw called “bombilla”. The cup is also called mate and currently you could find it made of different materials, colours and sizes.
For a lot of people it could be a unhygienic habit but, for those who drink it frequently, it’s a social ritual that invites you to share a meeting with friends or relatives.
To drink mate doens’t have any side effects and whoever drinks it comments of the refreshing and relaxing effect it produces.
There are also mate consumers in Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil and distant countries such as Syria.
Of course, in our bike tours in Buenos Aires we do a stop to enjoy some mates and share more about this habit that has been maintained since the founding of Buenos Aires city.
