Yerba Mate: A Cultural Connection at World Cup Events

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — World Cup matches are not only about sports and national pride for many fans. They also present an opportunity to share cultural practices, such as drinking yerba mate. This caffeinated beverage, popular in South America, is gaining traction in the United States among athletes and fans alike.

When Argentina’s team arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, supporters gathered outside their hotel, sharing yerba mate using traditional gourd cups and metal bombillas. This straw-like tool works as a filter for the steeped leaves. At Cafe Corazon, a notable yerba mate importer in the Midwest, fans clad in sky blue-and-white jerseys queued eagerly to enjoy the beverage before Argentina’s first World Cup match.

Dulcinea Herrera, co-owner of Cafe Corazon, noted increased interest in yerba mate. “Our mate has been flying off the shelves. Non-Argentinians want to experience it, while Argentinian visitors find it reminiscent of home.”

Several World Cup stars, like Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, embrace yerba mate. Messi famously shared a photo holding a mate cup alongside the World Cup trophy, showcasing the beverage’s significance.

“The drink dates back to Indigenous people and gauchos — South American cowboys — and is enjoyed globally,” said Christine Folch, a cultural anthropologist at Duke University and author of “The Book of Yerba Mate.”

Fans from countries such as Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil have unique ways of preparing mate, often using distinctive vessels like cow hooves, horns, leather-wrapped cups, and gourds. In the early 20th century, mate gained popularity in Syria and Lebanon, making Middle Eastern grocery stores in the U.S. reliable places to find traditional dried leaves.

In America, yerba mate is available in refrigerated cans, often marketed as a natural energy drink mixed with fruit flavors. Variations include a sweetened, carbonated version preferred by some Cuban Americans, while in Berlin, Club Mate is mixed with alcohol.

Traditionally, the preparation involves smoking the leaves, contributing to a smoky flavor alongside a grassy, earthy taste that many find less jarring than coffee. If ordering, pronounce it as MAH-teh, not like your soccer teammate.

Sip and Share

Yerba mate is a beverage that fosters social connection, especially during events like sports games. Folch explained, “When someone offers mate and it’s accepted, it signifies forging a connection.”

Sebastian Cufre and his father Rene, originally from Argentina, traveled from Albuquerque to Kansas City with hopes of securing last-minute match tickets. At Cafe Corazon, they connected with other Argentina fans, sharing mate at their tables. Rene expressed a strong dislike for the American canned version. “I don’t consider that true mate. It’s a different kind of drink altogether.”

Regardless of preference, mate enthusiasts encourage their North American peers to try yerba mate, whether at a cafe, restaurant, or watch party. “It’s more than a drink; it’s about friendship,” stated Fernando Villagran, who traveled from California to support Argentina.