Fans at World Cup matches are embracing the cultural tradition of sharing yerba mate as they support their national teams. The caffeinated beverage, common in South American countries, is increasingly popular in the United States among soccer enthusiasts and star athletes.
Argentina, reigning World Cup champions, was greeted by fans in Kansas City, Missouri, who offered yerba mate from gourd cups with metal straws serving as filters. Cafe Corazon, a significant yerba mate importer in the Midwest, experienced a surge in demand from fans wearing sky blue-and-white jerseys eager to enjoy the drink. According to Dulcinea Herrera, co-owner of the cafe, the beverage is not only favored by Argentinians who want to reminisce about home but also by individuals unfamiliar with it, eager for a unique experience.
Famous World Cup stars like Uruguay’s Luis Suarez and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are avid mate drinkers. Messi celebrated his team’s 2022 victory by posting a photo with a mate cup and the World Cup trophy, reinforcing mate’s status as a celebrated sports drink.
Cultural differences shape the way mate is prepared and consumed in countries like Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil. Christine Folch, a cultural anthropologist at Duke University, notes variations in mate vessels, including cups made from cow hooves and leather-wrapped gourds.
In Syria and Lebanon, mate gained popularity in the early 20th century. In the U.S., it’s often available in refrigerated cans as a natural energy drink, sometimes mixed with fruit flavors. The traditional preparation involves smoked leaves, giving the drink a smoky overtone alongside a grassy, earthy taste.
Folch emphasizes mate’s role in social settings, particularly sporting events, as it fosters connections when shared. Sebastian Cufre and his father Rene, traveling from Albuquerque to Kansas City, joined other Argentina fans at Cafe Corazon, sharing mate together. They prefer traditional mate over canned versions marketed in America, viewing it as an entirely different beverage.
Mate enthusiasts, like Fernando Villagran from Salta, Argentina, encourage their North American friends to try the drink for both its flavor and social aspect. Sharing mate signifies friendship and bonding.