NO EXPERIENCE WITH THE SPICE CHICA IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A SAMPLING OF ARGENTINA’S TRADITIONAL DRINK AND SNACK, MATE AND MEDIALUNAS! WHAT ARE THEY, YOU ASK? FOR MANY ARGENTINES, MATE IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THEIR DAILY RITUAL. IT’S MADE FROM THE LOCAL YERBA MATE PLANT AND IS DRANK FROM SPECIAL GOURD AND STRAW, CALLED A BOMBILLA. IT’S NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE SOMEONE ON A BUS OR TRAIN PULL OUT A THERMOS FULL OF HOT WATER AND POUR IT INTO THEIR MATE CUP ON THE SPOT.THE CRESCENT-SHAPED MEDIALUNAS ARE ANOTHER TRADITIONAL SNACK HERE IN BUENOS AIRES, FOUND IN EVERY CAFE AND CONFITERIA IN THE CITY. THEY’RE SWEET, SOFT AND THE PERFECT SIDE TO AN AFTERNOON COFFEE OR MATE!
Here is the How to Prepare a Mate Recipe:
INGREDIENTS
Cold water
Hot water
1/2 cup Yerba mate leaves (Amount depends on the size of gourd)
TOOLS: Yerba Mate Gourd, Bombilla, Kettle, Thermos (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Fill the gourd with Yerba mate until roughly 2/3 full
With your palm over the top of the gourd, tilt to one side, and shake the yerba mate to one side of the gourd
Lay the bombilla (filter side down) over the yerba mate, preserving the gap
Pour a little cold water into the gap you’ve made, inside the gourd. Keep the gourd tilted until the water has been absorbed by the Yerba Mate.
Now add your hot water into the reservoir. It should be no more than 150 degrees F. Fill it to the top.
Enjoy your Yerba mate by drinking from the bombilla.
Your gourd can be refilled 15-20 times with the same Yerba Mate
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