See Also: MATE(law)
first mate(dictionary)
mate(encyclopedia)
sui-mate(dictionary)
mate(dictionary)
mate(5)(dictionary)
mate(4)(dictionary)
mate(3)(dictionary)
mate(2)(dictionary)
mate(1)(dictionary)

mate (sh)




or yerba mate

Stimulating tealike beverage, popular in many South American countries, brewed from the dried leaves of an evergreen shrub or tree (Ilex paraguariensis) related to holly.

It contains caffeine and tannin but is less astringent than tea. To brew mate, the dried leaves (yerba) are placed in dried hollow gourds (mates or culhas) decorated with silver and covered with boiling water and steeped. The tea is sucked from the gourd with a tube, often made of silver, with a strainer at one end to catch leaf particles. Though usually served plain, mate is sometimes flavored with milk, sugar, or lemon juice.


Silver vessel for the preparation and serving of mate; in a private collection.

Librairie Larousse