DOING A MATÉ,
THE ARGENTINE WAY

In traditional Argentine style, the gauchos, or South American cowboys, will gather around a campfire several times during their work day of herding cattle. With horses hobbled and grazing, they group for friendship, community, and energy by passing the maté and bombilla person to person in ritualistic fashion.

The things you will need to host a typical traditional maté gathering are:

• A maté - the gourd, which has been cured
  *To Cure: fill 1/2 the gourd with leaves, top with hot water. Set for 3 days, then scrape out and rinse before using.
• A bombilla - the silver filtering straw (optional: plastic straws for those who are not used to this sharing ritual)
• Yerba maté - the loose herb
• A thermos or campfire pot of hot,
  but never-boiled, water.
• A wonderful peaceful outdoor location is preferable, with campfire, nature and spirit (if not possible, we suggest you go to your favorite coffee house or key campus location, ask for hot, but never boiled water, and introduce it to even MORE friends!)

One person acts as server to the group. He/she prepares the first maté by putting loose tea into the gourd - about 1/4 full, or to taste. (For a sweeter taste honey may be added to the hot water). The server then nestles the bombilla into the loose leaves inside the maté, leaving it there and while NEVER STIRRING fills the maté to the top with hot, but never boiled water.

The server drinks the entire maté thus settling the herbs and assuring that the temperature is perfect. The maté is refilled with hot water and passed to the person on the left or right, who drinks the entire maté and returns it to the server. (NOTE: it is considered a courtesy for the server to turn the maté so that the bombilla is pointing towards the person receiving it, and likewise, when the person finishes he/she returns the kindness by turning the maté (not the bombilla itself) so that the bombilla is facing the server. )

It is appropriate for the server to empty the maté and refreshen with fresh yerba after 6-10 servings. As the yerba is relieved of its properties, it becomes lavado or weakened and the rich green color becomes paler. For full potency you may choose to refresh your yerba sooner.

Each person drinks until fully satisfied. To indicate you are complete and no longer want to be included in the circle, you say "Gracias."

The maté may then be emptied onto house plants, or in your garden, as its rich nutrients have rejuvenation properties that plants enjoy greatly.

Yerba mate made as a suntea and served cold is an enjoyable alternative which contains all the nutritional and energizing benefits of this spectacular herb. Fill a squeeze bottle and take it with you on a hike, to work, or a business meeting for added focus and clarity.