What level of yerba mate mastery do you have? Check out our list of the 10 levels from beginner to master. 

Level 1 - You know what yerba mate is and know how to pronounce it. You may have had a few sips at some point

Level 2 - You've drunk mate on 3 separate occasions and maybe even prepared it yourself

     If someone else prepared it for you, they most likely told you that you have to prepare exactly as they do because it's "the best way to do it". If you prepared it yourself without assistance, you most likely poured too much water in, moved the bombilla around, and are wondering what you did wrong. You start getting a craving for mate each morning when you wake up.

Level 3 - You have prepared mate yourself at least once and have drunk it at least 5 times over the last 2 weeks

    You're getting the hang of it and really starting to enjoy it. Random people ask you if it's "weed" and you smile and say "of course not, it's an Argentinian infusion"

Level 4 - You've now consistently drunk mate for more than a month. You have your own mate gourd, bombilla, and thermos. You're a self sufficient yerba mate drinker.

    You now started to build mate into your routine, you enjoy the taste, and the mood it puts you in. You get excited when you see someone in a movie or on TV drinking it.

Level 5 - You've taught someone new what yerba mate is and how to prepare it. You've now been drinking it for more than 3 months also

    You remember your 1st time preparing mate so you are nice when they mess it up. You are proud to introduce them to the community. You resist the urge to say "che boludo."

Level 6 - You've been drinking mate for more than 3 months. You've met (physically or virtually) with friends and family centered around drinking yerba mate together (Mateada).

    You're sitting in a park, in a living room, or on a video call drinking your mate with others and thinking you like it better than sharing a six pack of beer.

Level 7 - You've been drinking yerba mate for more than 6 months, it's now in your routine, you are happy with it.

     You also can't stop yourself from taking pictures of your yerba in your mate gourd. You're like a proud parent to your yerba.

Level 8 - You've been drinking mate for more than a year. You've also tried preparing your mate in at least 3 other ways (Tereré, mate cocido, french press, mate latte, etc).

    Weather, sickness, laziness isn't stopping you. If it's scorching hot outside, you know how to make a tereré to cool yourself off. If you're introducing your kids to yerba mate, you can start with a mate cocido.  If you're feeling fancy and like how it sounds, you can make yourself a mate latte. 

Level 9 - You've been drinking yerba mate for at least 5 years, you feel a connection with South America and how yerba mate is such a big part of the culture.

     Maybe you're planning a trip to visit or you find yourself watching shows about South America to feel more part of it. You still find yourself taking photos of your yerba mate. Rather than selfies, you find yourself taking pictures of your yerba mate with cool places/things in the background.

Level 10 - You've been drinking mate for at least 10 years. Yerba mate is now part of your life and you are a master!

   Your connection with yerba mate is secure. You still send your mate selfies to friends.