The Guaraní customs of drinking mate were carried on to the people that conquered them, or took over their communities. This led to the large growth and popularity of yerba mate around the world.
Almost every person in Argentina drinks mate. Coffee is also a very popular drink here. HOWEVER mate is far more common to see in group settings. I have found that younger Argentines in high school do not drink it as much. But people in university and beyond consume mate non-stop, every single day of the week. When you go to the bus station you will find automatic mate stations that dispense water at the correct temperature, entire stores just for buying mate and all of the accessories that go with drinking and making mate, and people hiking carrying a cup of mate. You think I am kidding, come to Argentina!
Mate is connected to the local environment because it comes from a native tree! Mate is also connected to Argentina's history. Argentina has lost a lot of its connections with its indigenous roots because there have been many wars and conquests from European and Northern Hemisphere countries. Mate is one of the few traditions still held by a majority of the population in Argentina that is connected with their indigenous roots.
In addition, mate is not only an important tradition to share between friends and family, but it is also one of the best ways to meet strangers. Mate does not discriminate between where you are from, what language you speak, or if you are young or old. Drinking mate is a tradition that connects everyone.
