Coffee Cup Hacks

Although Mate was „discovered“ by the European world around the same time as coffee and tea, the ceremonial aspects of how it was traditionally consumed slowed down its spread into global mainstream culture. Colonialism and Capitalism have left no natural resource untouched by commodification, and mate has suffered this same fate time and time again throughout history.

Perhaps it is naive to believe that the digital nomadic globalised generation of the 21st century will empower themselves and chose to energise themselves sustainably by slowing down to celebrate life and embrace nourishing practices such as drinking mate.

We are not quite there yet. The reality is that the stresses of daily modern society leave us with little time to sit down and mate. Quick ready to drink options are preferred and it the short run it is easier and economical to buy a bottle over a bunch of equipment.

This simple Coffee Cup Hack was created to ease you into trying it the traditional way without creating too much of a mess.

Place coffee filter in cup and generously fill up w/ mate leaves

Juli 12, 2024Juli 12, 2024

Cultivating Meta……

While we are unable to directly influence the weather patterns in Southern Brasil that affected the Mate harvest this season, we can work on cultivating Meta within and sharing the spirit of universal friendship that Mate embodies.

Mate is a social practice in different places around the world in different ways. Here in Berlin, mate is known as a soda that is drunk while partying. In cooperation with Lokal Labor and Über den Tellerrand, we invite you to a traditional mate round with an exchange in Gleisdreieck Park this during the afternoon of the July Full Moon

We look forward to a colourful circle with mate drinkers from all cultures and encourage those who can to bring their own cuias, bombas and thermoses to facilitate the sharing. We will have some to spare and lots of leaves on hand to provide plenty of wild sustainable forest energy for the gathering.

Juli 12, 2024Juli 12, 2024

Cure ur Cuia

Caring for your cuia is an essential part of mate hygiene. A well-seasoned calabash can last a lifetime. There are many techniques for curing your mate gourd before using involving elaborate rituals of soaking it with used mate leaves, or setting the insides on fire with alcohol and then coating with honey for 24 hours. Pyromaniacs are welcome to have their fun; in this article we will explain a technique to cure your cuia over a longer period of time.

Although the small round gourds are more stereotypical in mate imagery, we choose to work with directly sourced stable Calabasas from a cuia cooperative. These cuias have a wider opening and are already sanded on the inside to give a smooth clean surface.

You may rinse your gourd out with warm water and use immediately.

When you are done drinking for the day throw out the use leaves and wash your gourd with warm water. NEVER use soap to clean your gourd. Please be aware that especially the beginning the pores of the gourd are sensitive and can easily absorb strong flavours. Therefore, we advise using pure mate leaves in the beginning.

Empty out the water and add 1 -2 tbs of old mate powder into the cuia. This is normally included in your purchase from Meta Mate, otherwise any old mate leaves will suffice.

Cover the top of the cup and shake it around until you have the feeling that the mate is evenly distributed on the inner surface.

Leave the cuia in a dry bright place for a couple of days. You can check if it is ready for drinking by putting your fingers deep inside, if the mate leaves are still moist, it still needs a bit of time.

When the cuia is try you should be able to shake out the mate powder, if you feel the need you can rinse it and then drink a mate. Repeat the process with the mate powder afterwards. (this can be done the first 3-4 times after drinking

Even a well used cuia can get mouldy if not cared for properly. For this reason we caution drinkers to take care and don’t leave their gourds sitting for over 24 hours with moist mate leaves inside on a regular basis. And please ensure that you allow your gourd to properly dry between one usage and another.

Even a well seasoned cuia with a hard smooth inner surface should be given a rest at least once a week. If you don’t have an alternative such as a ceramic cuia, try a regular coffee cup.

Please bear in mind that Calabasas are not from Europe and the climate conditions differ from their native home, they are organic materials and should be treated with care!

Juni 1, 2024Juni 1, 2024

MetaMateVerse @ re:publica24

It was a peculiar sight in the MakerSpace during Republica24, the renowned festival for digital society in Berlin, to find a simple wooden construction with seemingly archaic hardware named the MateVerse. Over a 69 hour period we managed to serve 108 Mates using about 4.2kg of Mate Leaves and infinite litres of hot and cold water spreading the Meta and connecting with Mates from around the world at the Global Innovation Gathering

Mate in its bubbly brause form fuels festivals such as this where visitors often pay up to 4€ for a bottle of sugar and chemical caffeine. Over the past decade Meta Mate has been on a mission to provide people with the chance to try a real mate in a somewhat traditional style.

Conferences do not provide the calm setting for sitting and sharing a meta moment in silence with a mate. and so we adapted the Angebote and offered single mates in glass cups that were easy to take with and refill with water throughout the day.

We did provide a few options in terms of drinking the mate hot or cold and with a dash of hounder and lime. For some it was a sustainable way to stay energised and hydrated during the day.

The MateVerse was an open space where participants had a chance to stop and savour the moment in the here and now and infuse themselves with some fresh forest energy. Mate is more than just a natural energiser . The theobromine and vitamins lead boost the immune system and lift the spirits. Facilitating communication and sharing time offline, mate is a way of bringing people form different backgrounds together to engage in a dialogue.

In the past Mate used to be a drink to pass around and partake in a ritual of sharing endless time together. Those days a long gone like the South American rainforests. Our circles have been disrupted and we re:learn to connect from within. Living in virtual urban bubbles, we need the renewable fresh forest energy to invigorate us.

Highlights from the MateVerse – Berliner style DIY Mates to Go.

From Planning to execution, the Mateverse was intended to be a hexagonal circle where participants could immerse themselves in a Meta-Forest.

Building up – our stoods seemed like lost mate trees in the soyascape of the Station Hall, however, we were able to create a cozy space with some forest feelings

Our Special RP24 mate mixture consisted of a Vintage harvest from the Family Drey mixed with Meta Mate 1 and the RainbowBlends.

Many had the first chance to try a traditional Mate and we hope to see the habit spread to far corners of the globe like Togo.

It was a refreshing and rewarding to spread the meta mission with our weapons of mass communication ammunition box. The interactive space was run on a non-commercial donation basis

Mai 25, 2024Mai 25, 2024

Who Cares? May Monsoon Mates…

Normally by this time, following the full moon in May, we should be breathing in the aroma of the fresh harvest of mate leaves drying in the Barbaqua. This season the fires have been dampened due to heavy rains. Fortunately forests were not flooded like countless urban regions in South Brasil. However, many of our meta-mates have been affected by the calamities and our well wishes go out to them.

Prior to the onset of the May Monsoons, the Family Gehm had wisely decided to sit out the season to give their forests a rest this year. It is an appropriate time for all of us to reflect on the balance between our consumption habits and our attitudes towards natural resources.

Meanwhile in Berlin, Brandenburg we are threatened with forest fires, sweltering summers and dry-spells. The only bright side of the heat is that it is perfect weather to enjoy refreshing tereres.

Young Activists gathered East of Berlin earlier this month to connect and voice their concerns with regards to the expansion of the Tesla Factory in the region.

In the spirit of real renewable forest energy we rode down with 10L Water to enjoy a round with mates.

We realise that for many Mate is just something you drink every once in a while (perhaps even in a bottle as a sign of protest). But it is deeply rooted in the commons and counter culture, and for us providing mate to such meta-gatherings is our form of activism.

It was an unexpected surprise to find our original brause mates, MunterMate with a small kiosk at the anti-tesla camp, a reassuring sign that there are many who are taking up similar causes.

In the spirit of sacred activism the MateVerse will be setting a space at the Station Berlin towards the end of May to share a meta-moment. We hope to be able to offer the room for reflection and ritual in the midst of a media messe……we look forward to some great mates and sharing some meta moments for those who care!

Click here for more information about the MateVerse at re:publica24

Mai 12, 2024Mai 12, 2024

Mate do Alemâo – Die Ursprung der Ur-Uru….

Nearly two decades ago, following the death of his grandfather, with whom he used to make mate as a child, Ricardo returned to Linha Lorenz

„I just wanted to do something good with my life. So I went into the forest and prayed with all my heart“

Reviving his roots by harvesting mate from his family forests and firing up the old barbaqua every now and then, Ricardo started to distribute his self-made mate in a grassroots way amongst his friends as Mate do Alemâo.

It was this dream that was the inspiration to bring this „German Mate“ from Brasil to Berlin and beyond and 15 years ago what was to become Meta Mate was born when we joyned Ricardo at Linha Lorenz to harvest Mate together.

None of us were sure where the journey would take us back then, but we truly believed in the power of this special Mate.

The Uru is the one who lights the fire and cares for the drying of the Mate in the Barbaqua. Ricardo’s role in the early years was essential to teach us how to harvest in harmony with Caá.

Today there are many hands that joyn together to make it possible for us to serve you Meta Mate so far away from the forests.

The 2024 season is due to start soon and the mate making region has been engulfed by storms. There have been other seasons when the area was struck by severe drought. Nature is protesting the abuse.

At this point we can only send our prayers to the families and forests who have been affected and hope for some sunshine…

Click here to view photos of the 2009 Harvest at Linha Lorenz in the MateLeaks Book

April 29, 2024April 30, 2024

Friedvolle Mates……Walpurgisnacht 2024.

As the annual Walpurgisnacht Fire will fall out this year, we will be joining our systars on the streets this Tuesday evening for a Friedvolle Fest to stand up for a taboo topic. This time we will not be sharing mates in a circle but invite you all to take back the night and commemorate in a peaceful and powerful manner.

Infos zum Demo

Domestic Violence is a cliché; something that always happens out there but never in our close circles. The shame, self-blame and above all the pride.

There has been a move as of late towards relabelling such incidents as toxic relationships, but everything is toxic these days from the foods we eat to the digital mediums we communicate with.

Each story is individual, yet there are similar patters that weave through all. Resilience and cultural convictions twist the threads into a multitude of musters, fabricating our lives with fantasies that things will change.

„I was not ready to admit being a victim; that was for the weak. I have been raised as an independent strong woman, free to choose my future, educated with a black belt and college degree. Gaslighting belonged to the village dowry dramas of my mothers and grandmothers cloaked in burkhas in their ancient lands. „

*****************

We believe in the power of dialogue and feel that Mate is a valuable tool in facilitating non-violent communication. In Berlin Mate is often associated with the rebellious counter culture as a energising fun fuel for partying and protesting. And as more people turn towards the traditional variations there is more of an opportunity to sit down and Mate together

We are open on the 1st of May from 2 – 6 pm

Joyn us for the Official Kick Off of Terere Season!!!

April 28, 2024April 28, 2024

Tribal Mates….Sunday Stammtisch…2-5pm

The Guarani are one of the largest ethnic groups in Brazil outside the Amazonia region. The culture of drinking mate stems from their connection with the forest spirits and nature. The forests of the native inhabitants of Brasil were invaded over the past centuries. For decades they have been struggling for demarcation of their territories. In recent years there have been attempts from various communities to “take back” their ancestral territories. However these are mostly fenced in by the agribusiness which leads to violent conflicts.

The 19th April is officially set aside by the Brazilian government as a special day to pay homage to indigenous peoples. This is somewhat of a paradox whilst their ways of life are under threat and they continue to face discrimination and violence and the forests continue to be eroded.

We drink in ode to the capitalistic caucasian colonisers of the 23rd century, responsible for the modern day massacre – genocide through gentrification. Seeking salvation in a bottle, numbing our nerves with Netflix.

Similar to the desert of deforestation, our landscape is slowly being eradicated of care-free colourful creativity and instead wrapping it up in pre-processed plastic packaging.

The Künstlers who inhabited the squats in Berlin have like-wise been eradicated by the immobilen mafia with their sky scraping luxury apartments.

These are increasingly inhabited by global expats slaving away for bitcoins and exotic retreats.

The free spaces like our forests have been invaded by commerce. The „lazy“ indigenous were once evicted from their land as property was claimed by the new settlers, ambitious and ready to conquer and create.

Similarly in the city these day, small spontaneous gatherings are on the decrease. A Roda do Mate is the epitome of a sharing circle – to connect and exchange ideas and opinions on an eye-to-eye level – deep rooted in the commons culture.

To maintain ancient practices in a modern day is nearly impossible in a society that is struggling to survive.

We are open on Sunday afternoons this Spring to gather and share a Mate and moments on a Meta level. A donation for the circle is always welcome from those who are able to and you are welcome to bring your own mate to share.

Roda do Mate. Sundays 2 – 5 pm

April 28, 2024April 28, 2024

Mate with Meta

Mate drinking is firstly about taking a moment to connect with oneself within and sharing the gratitude and good feelings (Meta) with those around. The more we are able to practice the act of drinking and sharing the mate with this consciousness, the more we are helping to heal ourselves and planet.

Prayer for our Planet – Mate with Metta

There will come a day when people of all races, colors, and creeds will put aside their differences. They will come together in love, joining hands in unification, to heal the Earth and all her children.

We will realize that we as human beings have been put on this earth for only a short time and that we must use this time to gain wisdom, knowledge, respect and the understanding for all human beings since we are all relatives.”

Today we are going through many crises; environmental, economic, political and the indigenous territories are being invaded and looted. Along with iron and fire, come abusive and racist conversion practices.

It should not be that only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish caught, the last river poisoned, that we realize that one cannot eat money.

The healing prayers have been replaced by hate, and medicinal remedies with aspirin. Epidemics of depression has seen the world’s highest suicide rates, as the forests of the world are stained with tears and blood.

We must overcome our inability of living in harmony and equality in our differences and start learning to share the world with other living beings, living, seeing and recognizing each other in our gaze, with reciprocity, respect for humans and respect for non-human beings too, side by side, living together in our differences.

There is only one planet, and we can all live in it, free from the burden of racism and sexism and all the other isms that we create. There are many worlds that coexist in the different ways of inhabiting this planet.

Januar 29, 2024Januar 29, 2024

Brain and Body Boosters

One of the primary focuses with running a Mate Space in Berlin is to offer the curious a place to come in contact with the herb, learn more about the culture, experience a tasting and create their own circle.

Due to consumption in popular & football culture, cross-continental migration, and the Beliebte Brause, Mate drinking has been steadily on the rise in Germany over the past decade also amongst youth culture.

In 2023 we extended our Mate Seminars to high school groups (Yerba Mate and Tango are popular cultural themes in Spanish class). Mate is often wrongly categorized as an energy drink abroad due to the high amounts of additional caffeine in the bottles.

While children do not need high doses of caffeine or sugar, real mate contains valuable vitamins and „Bitterstoffe“ that modern diets lack.

In 2018 legislation in South Brasil ruled to include Mate-based food and beverages in the public school canteen menu due to its nutritional content.

While we do still get the silly question if it’s possible to smoke Mate and if the Bomba is a pipe, over the past decade we have witnessed many meaningful moments with teenage mate circles. The benefits of drinking Mate daily can be experienced by students who are often on a budget and opt for inexpensive sources of energy.

In order to support this, we do offer student discounts in our shop for our forest harvested mates (smoked and unsmoked) and are running a special set offer this semester.

Students are not the only ones who benefit. In a recent conversation with Meta-Matero Staniel, we reflected on his stamina and the positive effects of intermittent fasting with mate in his daily sports-regime. Recently his face has been plastered around billboards in Berlin advertising memberships in a local gym, which was a good occasion to promote Stan’s Starter Set again!

According to ‚Das Kleine Tee Buch‘ by Cornelia Osterbrauck, „auch als gut bekömmliches Schlankheitsmittel wird Mate gerne verwendet, da mit ihm auf rein pflanzlicher Basis Durst- und Hungergefühle unterdrückt werden können“

Let the Mate speak for itself! We invite the curious to stop in and try it out. It is possible to book a mate session online, via Groupon or just pop in during our opening hours!