Polaroid of the Week: Discovering Yerba Mate Culture in Buenos Aires
We arrived in Buenos Aires last Friday, knowing that Yerba Mate—a traditional herbal, caffeinated infusion—is immensely popular across South America's southern countries.
What surprised us was how ubiquitous it is: locals carry their mate everywhere in a cuia, the hollowed-out gourd used for drinking. For those accustomed to toting a large Starbucks coffee all day, the appeal is relatable—but Porteños take it further, balancing a small gourd in one hand and a giant Thermos of hot water in the other.
Unlike coffee, mate is deeply social. Prepare it by filling the gourd halfway with leaves, adding hot (not boiling) water, and sipping through a metal bombilla straw. Refill repeatedly from the Thermos until the flavor fades. It's shared among family and friends, passed hand-to-hand. You'll spot groups of youth and couples in parks, vendors at markets, all enjoying communal mate. Gourds come in endless varieties, from rustic pumpkin to ornate glass, ceramic, silver, or wood.
To blend in as true Porteñas, we bought a traditional pumpkin gourd at San Telmo's bustling antiques market on Sunday. Following local advice, we cured it by steeping it with water and mate for three days. Now, we're set to join the mate-sharing scene in Buenos Aires' vibrant parks!
