Syrian Yerba Mate

Yerba mate - a traditional South American drink has found a remarkable home far from its native lands, in Syria, where it is not only widely consumed but deeply rooted into social life. While it might seem unlikely for a South American drink to become one of the most popular beverages in the Levant (the region roughly corresponding to modern-day Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) the history of mate in Syria is a fascinating story of migration, cultural exchange and adaptation.

The story of yerba mate in Syria begins with migration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During that period, especially after conflicts and economic difficulties in the declining Ottoman Empire, many Syrians left for South America - particularly Argentina and Brazil - in search of work and stability. There, they encountered the local tradition of drinking mate, a strong, grassy infusion shared socially throughout the day.

When many of these immigrants returned to their homeland - especially in the mid‑20th century - they brought the drink back with them. They packed bags of yerba mate leaves and the cultural practice itself, introducing it to family, friends, and eventually entire communities.

Once introduced, mate didn’t remain a foreign curiosity - it became deeply embedded in Syrian daily life. In many parts of the country, especially in the coastal regions (Latakia and Tartus), the Qalamoun mountains, and the southern province of As-Suwayda, the mate drinking habit spread beyond returning immigrant families. 

Unlike in South America, where mate is most often sipped from a gourd and shared, Syrians typically drink mate individually from small glass cups, although the hot water might still be shared socially at gatherings. The straw used to drink mate - called a “massasa” in the Middle East - is often made from metal and is distinctive from South American bombillas. 

One of the most noticeable differences between traditional South American mate and Syrian mate is the flavor profile: 

This adaptation of taste reflects both the Syrian palate and the cultural context: while South American mate emphasizes ritual and leaf purity, Syrian mate prioritizes daily enjoyment and social accessibility.

Yerba mate in Syria is more than just a caffeine drink, it is a social ritual. People drink it throughout the day in homes, workplaces, and cafes. A session of mate becomes an occasion for conversation, storytelling, and bonding.

In fact, research shows that yerba mate has become the most preferred stimulant drink in Syria, even surpassing coffee and tea in some regions. A study exploring its socio‑cultural significance found high consumption across various religious and geographic groups — with particularly strong popularity among Alawite and Druze communities.

Today, Syria is one of the largest importers of yerba mate in the world — second only to major South American consumers. In the 2010s, Argentina alone exported tens of thousands of tons of yerba mate to Syria, representing a significant share of its global export market.

The ongoing importance of mate to Syrian life has even led the Central Bank of Syria to classify it as an essential import commodity, placing it in the same category as food staples like rice and sugar. 

Syrian mate is prepared in a way that reflects both tradition and local taste:

1. Small glass cups (about 100 ml) are filled with roughly 10 g of yerba mate.
2. A metal straw or “massasa” is placed in the cup.
3. Leaves are first moistened with cold water, then hot water is added once they’ve absorbed it.
4. The infusion is sipped slowly, often with sugar or local herbs like mint or wormwood added for flavour
5. This practice - repeated with hot water refills over time - makes mate a leisurely and communal drink rather than just a quick caffeine boost.

Mate in wartime Syria

The ongoing conflict in Syria since 2011 and the resulting displacement of millions have also, paradoxically, spread the culture of mate within the country. Displaced Syrians carry their mate leaves, cups, and traditions with them to new communities, where they introduce others to the ritual — expanding mate’s cultural footprint even amid hardship. 

What started as a drink from the forests of South America - deeply tied to the social fabric of countries like Argentina and Paraguay - has grown into a unique cultural institution in Syria. Through migration, adaptation, and daily use, yerba mate has evolved from an imported curiosity into a beloved tradition, a social glue that brings people together in cafes, homes and displacement camps alike.