The Rules of Mate.

Mate is a tradition here. Almost everyone drinks it, all day. Even when it is 100 degrees outside, they drink it. They say it helps give them energy in the heat. Often, when you are traveling or in public places, you will see many people with thermoses of water. Basically mate is like tea, with a strong aroma (some say it smells terrible) and bitter taste. The herb is spooned into a special cup and water is poured over it. The herbs can be used for many mates by just adding more water. One drinks mate through a special straw that allows the liquid to be sucked up but does not allow the herbs through.

As mate is a cultural experience, and Argentines take their culture very seriously, there are naturally [unspoken] rules that come along with the mate tradition. Below are some of the rules we have learned along the way, but just like with culture in general, it takes a long time to fully understand.

Rules*:
The person making the mate, and their skill of pouring it, mixing it and placement of the straw, determines how good the mate will be (in addition to the quality of the herb and the temperature of the water).
The water used for mate should be at 75 degrees Celsius.
The person making the mate always drinks the first cup.
Never move the straw (only the preparer can move it).
You always have at least 2 mates (it is rude not to) - there is not a lot of liquid in the cup, so 2 mates is not actually that much.
Do not say "gracias" or thank you until you are done and ready to pass the cup.

Pronunciation: mah-tay

*This information was passed onto us by our bus driver in Puerto Madryn (Hugo). He claims he isn't the best mate preparer of all time, but that he ranks at about 9.95 out of 10.