It’s a daily ritual, a symbol of Argentine identity, and a South American superfood. Yerba mate is Argentina’s official national drink and the country’s second most-consumed beverage after water. Across Argentina, people have mate tea on the mind when they place the kettle on the stove first thing in the morning. A good day starts […]
Karla Johan: Sommelier of Mate
Name: Karla Johan Profession: Sommelier of Mate & Author Lives: Belgrano, Buenos Aires From: Missiones Age: 45 and well-preserved, thanks to mate! How and at what age did you start drinking mate? Did your parents serve you mate? I remember my first mate. My […]
Gastronomic Customs of Argentina: Mealtimes & Quirks
Sizzling steaks, Malbec from Mendoza, cheese-laden pizza and pastries galore — Argentines are proud of their food, from the succulent to the sweet. Read on to find out about Argentina’s typical mealtimes and peculiar culinary habits. Local culinary customs and quirks stretch further than just drinking yerba mate and devouring meat whenever possible though. Here, […]
Argentina Christmas Food Guide
Christmas eve in Argentina, is the main day of holiday celebration here and it lands in the midst of the scorching summer. This means that holiday party spreads are heavy on cold appetizers. Everyday standbys such as meat and cheese platters, empanadas, and migas, (crust-less finger sandwiches) make an appearance, but Argentina’s Christmas culinary tradition […]
FAQ: Dining Out in Argentina: Customs, Cubiertos & Tips
Q: What is the ‘cubierto’ charge? What is the ‘cubierto’ charge that shows up on my restaurant bill? Is this a service charge? Am I a jerk if I don’t leave a tip since I’m paying this seemingly random cubierto charge? A: The cubierto is the ‘cover charge’ for the fork, knife, place-mats and (often) […]