Argentine Culture – Argentina Photo Workshops

Yerba Mate Drink in Argentina: a healthy cultural symbol

Nicholas — Mon, 17 Jan 2022 18:08:25 +0000

One of the experiences not to be missed during a trip to Argentina is undoubtedly tasting a Mate Drink.

Walking through the streets, the parks of the country, in offices, stores, everywhere you will see people drinking mate and it will only be a matter of time before you are offered one!

In this guide I will explain you every detail and curiosity related to this drink, symbol of Argentine culture.

What is the yerba mate drink and what countries drink mate?

The yerba mate drink is popular in many South American countries. It is ‘an acquired taste’. And it is currently consumed mainly in Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay and some cities in southern Brazil.

The dried leaves of the yerba mate tree are used to make this infusion, to which hot water is added.

It is also called “mate” to the container where it is drunk, being the most used the pumpkin one.

To start you need to have this glossary:

Mate: the name of the gourd and the drink
Bombilla: the metal straw that is used to drink the mate
Yerba: the dried leaves of yerba mate tree that comes in half or full kilo bags
Lavado: literally ‘washed’, this is when the mate lost its flavor

In Argentina, the yerba mate is a popular drink, yes, but it means much more, it is a source of pride for Argentines, it is an excuse to meet and a custom that is transmitted by family inheritance.

“Shall we drink some mates?”

It is an invitation to chat, to stay, to continue the conversation. Mate represents sharing, it reduces distances between people, it invites to think, to debate, it is the social drink by excellence.

Aside from its unique flavor, you should also know that its use is beneficial for your health. Yerba mate is rich in antioxidants, helps reduce bad cholesterol and triglycerides (obesity) and contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins.

As a last characteristic, it is an energy drink due to its high caffeine content. But it is a caffeine different from that contained in coffee or tea. Its properties prevent the energy drop that occurs after excessive coffee consumed.

Did you notice how many things it represents?

Do not worry, this article will not end without me explaining how to make a good mate, although the definition of “good” will always depend on the drinkers, you will find out.

How was mate born in Argentina?

Mate originated with the traditions of the Guarani Indians who inhabited the area that today makes up Paraguay and parts of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

The Guarani used the leaves of the yerba mate tree as a beverage and also as a currency of exchange with other tribes. For these people, the yerba mate tree was a gift from the gods.

Later, the Spanish conquistadors were the ones who spread the use of this drink in the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. They noticed that the Guarani had more stamina and energy after drinking this beverage and learned the virtues of yerba mate.

Then, the Jesuits introduced the crop in the Jesuit Guarani missions and thanks to them, yerba mate became popular and commercialized. Such was their influence that the infusion was known at that time as Jesuit tea.

Drinking mate did not distinguish social classes, but the additives included when drinking it and the objects in which it was drunk did. The aristocrats of those times added milk, cinnamon, cream, cloves, to make it more premium. Likewise, the more elaborate (carved in silver) and sumptuous the mate (container) was, the finer it was considered to be.

This is how drinking mate became a deep-rooted tradition in Argentina, which is still maintained today and expands around the world.

Where is yerba mate produced in Argentina?

The province of Misiones, in the extreme northeast of Argentina, is the main producer of yerba mate in the country. It is followed by the northeastern province of Corrientes.

Yerba mate, whose scientific name is Ilex Paraguariensis, is a tree native to the Brazilian rainforest in the state of Paraná, in southern Brazil. It can reach a height of between 12 and 16 meters. To facilitate harvesting, they are cut twice a year to an average height of 2 meters.

It is also the country with the largest area of yerba mate crops. In total 165 thousand hectares. It is followed by Brazil (85 thousand) and Paraguay (35 thousand).

This makes Argentina the main producer and exporter of yerba mate in the world. It leads in yerba mate exports with an annual average of 35 thousand tons, its main destinations being Syria (78%), Chile (12%), Lebanon and the United States (2%).

How can it be explained that Syria is the largest buyer? The explanation lies in the Syrian immigration to Argentina, which began in the 19th century, and as many relatives remain in the country of origin, they adopt the customs of those who live in Argentina.

Nowadays, an average of 6.4 kg per inhabitant per year is consumed in Argentina and yerba mate is present in more than 90% of homes.

How to prepare and drink mate in Argentina?

Mate is prepared using the leaves of the yerba mate tree. These leaves, which are crushed and packaged, and are commonly called “yerba”, can be bought in any supermarket in the country, in any store, it is always available.

As I told you, the container is also called “Mate” and can be the traditional gourd, or a wooden or cane jar, or even ceramic, metal or plastic. The key is to choose a good container, with a narrow base and wide mouth, and if you ask me, there is no doubt that the gourd one is the best, because of its taste.

The infusion is taken with a straw, a kind of metal straw or sometimes cane, and the water should not be boiled. In fact, if the water boils, it is not suitable for mate. Ideally, it should be between 75 and 85°.

One person prepares the mate, filling it with yerba mate and placing first a little water and then the metal straw inside. Then he continues adding hot water and passes each mate he prepares to the other people. Each person drinks the mate and returns it to the server to refill it with water and continue the circle.

This process continues until the mate is “washed”, which means that it loses its flavor.

What do you drink mate out of?

There are many ways of drinking mate: bitter and without additives, with sugar or sweetener, with dried orange or lemon peels, with herbs, with cold water – it is called tereré -, and more. There are less ways to prepare it, but they are not few. Each one has its own technique and its masters.

The 5 secrets to make a good mate are (check out the video below):

Fill the three quarters (3/4) of the mate.
Shake it by covering the mouth of the mate with the palm of your hand.
Place the mate on its side/oblique, so as to leave all the yerba mate on one side of the container.
Add some warm water in the part of the mate where there is less yerba. When the yerba swells, this is where the strew is placed.
Pour the water as close as possible to the metal straw to avoid wetting all the yerba. In this way, it preserves its flavor for a longer time since every time you put water in the container the yerba that is dry will feed, releasing the flavor little by little. If we wet all the yerba the mates are washed faster.

3 basic rules that you need to know:

Do not move the straw once the mate is started! It is to prevent it from getting clogged and the dry yerba from getting wet, but it is also almost an offense to the person who is brewing the mate!
Respect the order of the circle.
Don’t say “thank you” when someone gives you the mate. That word is used when you don’t want to drink any more, and everyone know that, in the next round, they will skip you for the mate.

When do you drink mate?

Mate is present throughout the day:

During breakfast, it is a habit to start the day with energy, and before lunch it is a break to calm anxiety or hunger.

During the day, it is a partner for different activities: working, studying, cleaning the house, watching TV/series, reading.

During the snack, it is a moment of relaxation, it begins to close the day. It is a welcome gesture for those who come home from work.

In the evening, mate is present while using the computer or during the family after-dinner conversation.

How to cure a mate?

Curing a mate is an important process to prepare it before the first use, especially if it is made of gourd (natural). Curing helps to seal the pores, eliminate bitter flavors from the material and prevent cracking or fungus.

Let’s see how to cure it, step by step, depending on the type.

If your mate is made of pumpkin:

1. Rinse the inside of the gourd with warm water to remove dust or impurities. Do not use detergent.

2. Fill the mate up to ¾ of its capacity with yerba mate.

3. Pour hot water and let it settle. This will cause the yerba to swell and start to soak into the walls.

4. Let the mate sit for 24-48 hours in a cool place (not in direct sunlight). The yerba will ferment a little, which is normal.

5. After resting, remove the yerba and, with a spoon or dull knife, gently remove any loose debris from the inside (seeds, fibers). Do not scrape excessively.

6. You can repeat the curing process 1 or 2 more times if the interior still has a bitter or raw pumpkin taste.

If your mate is made of wood:

Brush the interior with oil (cooking or coconut) to moisturize and seal the pores.
Then let it soak for several hours and wipe off the excess.
Use it with yerba so that it takes on flavor little by little.

Important Tips:

Never leave the mate wet for days without cleaning: mold can form.
Always let the mate dry upside down after use.
The more you use your mate, the better it will taste over time. It “cures” more with practice.

Where to buy mates in Argentina?

As we already said, yerba can be found in supermarkets and many other places where food is sold. In fact, nowadays in Argentina, but more so in Buenos Aires, natural markets have expanded and you can find organic yerbas and mixed with other herbs or “yuyos”.

If you need hot water for your mate, you can buy it at gas stations and local small shops.

As for the container, it is available in many places. If you search online, there are also thousands of options. A good place is the street markets that take place in Buenos Aires, where they sell handmade mates and you can see and choose. The San Telmo Fair on Sundays always has multiple vendors, as the outdoor Plaza Francia Fair, near to the Recoleta Cemetery in Plaza Francia.

The important thing is after buying it, and if it is made of gourd or wood, to know that it must be cured. There are different methods to do it, but whoever sells you the mate will tell you which one is the right one for you. The curing process is done before starting to use it and usually takes a couple of days-

But if you don´t want to drink mate, you can buy it as a souvenir, because some of them incorporate iconic Argentine images such as tango dancers or the flag, so it is a nice decoration too.

Where to drink mate in Buenos Aires?

In Argentina, and specially in Buenos Aires, you can drink a mate in some specific café or tea place. You need to search them.

Mate is so common in the city, but it is not available in all bars, as coffee.

That make you think that it is always better mate with an Argentinean, because the ritual is really lived.

When is the “Mate Day” in Argentina?

The National Mate Day in Argentina is November 30, as established by Law 27,117, which was passed to promote the permanent recognition of Argentine customs.

The date was chosen to commemorate the birth of Andrés Guacurarí y Artigas, a Guaraní leader who was the only indigenous governor in Argentine history. Appointed by José Gervasio Artigas as General Commander of Misiones, Andrés governed between 1815 and 1819 the then Great Province of Misiones, from where he promoted the production and distribution of yerba mate.

November 30 is also the date on which a fair dedicated to this infusion is usually held, the MateAr Fair, in Buenos Aires.

Mate Drink in Argentina: Interesting Facts

Valeria Trapaga is the first and only Argentine mate sommelier specialized in yerba mate tasting.

In 2020 she presented her book “Mate in body and soul”, published by Lariviére,

Valeria gave a very interesting and emotional talk about mate at TED x Rosario in 2012. I invite you to watch it and get excited.

Final Notes

This cultural symbol was strongly impacted by the world pandemic (COVID).

It can no longer be shared among all because it is a means of transmission, but even so, it is still the reason to get together and talk, now each one with his mate, outdoors.

Learn how to make a Mate while travelling with us!

Gauchos: the free souls of the Argentine countryside

Nicholas — Fri, 08 Jan 2021 12:54:49 +0000

The purpose of Argentina Photo Workshops is to offer unique travel photography workshops and to achieve this we rely on the experience of local professional photographers who dedicate their lives to different branches of travel photography. One of these is ethnic portraiture and documentary.

We are interested in photographing the native people, the gauchos and all the humanity that forms the Argentine culture, looking to explore the most genuine roots of this country, its true soul. Through these images we not only have an important historical record, but also the possibility of raising awareness among the public and the photographers who participate in these activities, showing the beauty of diversity and the need to preserve these ancient cultures.

In this article we will focus on the figure of the Gaucho, to know in detail one of the symbols of Argentina. A figure linked to the land and animals, which we find in a good part of the country, under different climatic and cultural conditions.

Gauchos Meaning

The word Gaucho derives from the Quechua (native people) “Huachu” which means: without parents. This term was used in the Rio de la Plata region (Argentina and Uruguay) and even in southern Brazil, to designate the horsemen of the area dedicated to the herding of wild cattle (cimarrón).

Origins

Mixture of Europeans and native peoples. Probably the first Gauchos were marginalized people who broke with the precepts of society and went to the solitude of La Pampa, where wild cattle, grass and water abounded, and above all they were free to roam in the fields.

Formerly they were free men, nomads, or with some pending accounts with the law. They worked in the fields, moving from one “ranchos” to another. Ranchos are rustic houses, with adobe walls (mud mixed with straw) and thatched roofs.

Excellent horsemen, they were in charge of herding the cattle, sawing and other rural tasks.

Gauchos in Argentina

The Gaucho played an important role in the struggle for Argentina’s independence and in most of the conflicts that led to the forging of the nation, for which they are highly respected.

But above all, being a Gaucho is a philosophy of life, being supportive, a friend, a companion, a worker, always skilled in rural tasks.

“To make a Gauchada”, is the best phrase to define a Gaucho. This refers to helping selflessly, the friend, the neighbor and even strangers, supportive and generous above all.

Gauchos Clothing

The original clothing of the gaucho includes: white underpants, colt boots, chiripa, shirt, neck scarf, sash, bombacha de campo (large trousers), boina, cinturón tirador (belt), poncho and sombrero (hat), to which it accompanies ties, boleadoras (depending on the region) and facones.

Inseparable from its horse and its accessories: the rebenque, the espuelas, the estribos and the montura.

El Facón: the Gaucho's Weapon

The gaucho is armed with the knife he has inherited from the Spaniards: facón.

For the gaucho, the knife is much more than a weapon: it is an instrument that serves him for all his daily occupations and he cannot live without it.

The facón is carried hooked in the sash behind the waist, in the lumbar area. On festive occasions, a sash is worn and above it a belt called a “cinturón tirador” decorated with coins and a buckle or harrow made of precious metals (gold and silver).

Customs and Traditions

During the breaks from work, the gaucho drinks bitter “mate” and eats charcoal-grilled meat, the famous Asado!! Among his most typical foods are also “empanadas”, “locro”, “guiso” and “pastelitos de dulce de membrillo o batata”.

They are also expert guitarists and dancers. Their most frequent dances are the “Pericón” and the “Malambo”, which today are typical Argentine dances.

The Taba game

The Taba game has ancient origin, which goes back to the Indo-European civilizations and arrives in Argentina by the hand of the Spanish conquerors.

It was built with one of the bones that form the tarsus of cattle. This bone has a concave S-shaped face (called “meat” or “luck”, and another flat one called “ass”). In order to avoid the consequent deterioration and to improve its lines, some cut-out metal plates were applied to it, in which the owner’s initials were generally engraved.

The “cancha” (game field) is a clear land, several meters long, and was cut with two lines, which define the space that the “Taba” should go through before touching the ground. It was thrown to the ground as a dice. If the “luck” was upwards, the shooter won, but if he fell showing his “ass”, the opponents won.

In some of these games, bets were made, and occasionally with large amounts of money.

The taba, as a game of luck, already existed in Ancient Greece. Numerous objects and marble sculptures of the time represent people having fun with the taba.

The Gauchito Gil: authentic folklore

The Gauchito Gil is a folkloric-religious figure, object of great popular devotion in Argentina.

There are still different versions in circulation, the origin of the myth resides in the figure of Antonio Plutarco Cruz Mamerto Gil Núñez, generally represented in the typical gaucho clothing.

The Gauchito Gil loved dances and parties and had an excellent handling of the facón. His hypnotic look was fearsome for his enemies and devastating for women.

He was a rural laborer, who suffered the horrors of fighting in a war between brothers (the War of the Triple Alliance), and was later recruited to be part of the militias that fought the Federals.
Legend counts that “Ñandeyara”, the Guarani god, appeared to him in his dreams and said: “You don’t want to spill the blood of your fellow people”. The Gauchito did not hesitate any more and deserted from the Army.

A true rebellious soul, loved and protected by the people.

Such is the devotion to the “Gauchito Gil” that a sanctuary has been built, in a site near the place of his death (located about 8 kilometers from the city of Mercedes), which receives hundreds of thousands of pilgrims every year.

The cult of the “Gauchito Gil” has extended from Corrientes to the rest of the country, being observed along the routes, many “red” sanctuaries in his honor.

The Gaucho in Literature

Around the gauchos, is formed the gaucho literature. A sub-genre of Latin American literature that tries to recreate the language of the gaucho and tell his way of thinking and living.

The gaucho as the protagonist of stories and tales in open spaces of nature, such as the Argentine pampas. A tale of rural life and customs.

El Gaucho Martín Fierro

The “Gaucho Martín Fierro” is one of the most important literary works of the gaucho genre, written by the Argentine poet José Hernández in 1872. To which is added a continuation, entitled “La Vuelta de Martín Fierro”, written in 1879.

In these works, the gaucho stopped being a man “outside the law” to become a national hero. The book has been published in hundreds of editions and translated into more than 70 languages.

Don Segundo Sombra

Another important work of gaucho literature is “Don Segundo Sombra”, first published in 1926. A rural Argentinean novel by Ricardo Güiraldes, a writer from San Antonio de Areco.

Unlike Martin Fierro, Don Segundo Sombra does not socially claim the gaucho, but evokes him as a legendary character.

The Gaucho, skillful horseman, brave, free, faithful, just and above all willing to do “Gauchadas”, is one of the symbols that defines the Argentine cultural identity.

If someone calls you “Gaucho”, is praising you, be proud !!