Tereré

Name: Tereré
Cuisine: Paraguay
Ingredients: Yerba mate — 100 g (3.5 oz); Cold water — 960 ml (32 fl oz); Ice cubes, as needed; Sprigs of mint or other yuyos (medicinal herbs), to taste (optional) — a few

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Ingredients

Yerba mate — 100 g (3.5 oz)
Cold water — 960 ml (32 fl oz)
Ice cubes, as needed
Sprigs of mint or other yuyos (medicinal herbs), to taste (optional) — a few

Method

Fill the guampa about two-thirds full with yerba mate, tilting it to create a slight incline within the vessel.
Insert the bombilla into the lower side of the yerba mate, being careful not to disturb the mound too much.
Fill the jug or thermos with cold water and ice, adding mint or other herbs if using.
Pour a small amount of the cold water into the guampa and let it soak briefly.
Sip through the bombilla, refilling with more cold water as the guampa empties, traditionally shared and passed among a group.

Introduction: Cold yerba mate served with ice water through a metal straw, Paraguay's most iconic and beloved everyday drink.

Cultural Background: Tereré is deeply woven into Paraguayan daily life and social ritual, shared among friends and family from a common gourd, its cold preparation offering essential refreshment through the country's hot climate.

Tips: Keep the water very cold, even icy, as this is central to tereré's refreshing character. Traditionally, tereré is shared from one guampa passed among a group of friends or family, a meaningful social ritual.

Variations: Add fresh mint, lemongrass or other yuyos to the water for extra flavour and, traditionally, medicinal benefit. Some prefer a mix of fruit juice with the water for a sweeter, fruitier variation.

Storage: Not applicable — this drink is prepared and consumed fresh, refilled continuously.

Reheating: This drink is served cold and is not reheated.

FAQs:

Q: What is a guampa?

A: The traditional gourd vessel used to drink tereré and mate, often made from a hollowed cattle horn or wood.

Q: Is tereré the same as hot mate?

A: They use the same yerba mate herb, but tereré is prepared and drunk cold, while mate (or 'mate caliente') is traditionally served hot.