My aspiration is simple: to grow a community around mate — one built on connection, shared curiosity, and respect for tradition. This is more than a brand to me; it’s an open invitation. If you ever have questions, want to learn more, or just feel like connecting, you can always reach out.
My relationship with mate didn’t start as a business idea — it started as a discovery. While living in Miami, I felt immersed in a city that already offered everything: energy, culture, and constant movement. Mate had been present in the background for years. I’d seen it in the hands of athletes and public figures I admired, but I never fully understood its meaning or ritual.
That changed during an unplanned weekend drive when I stumbled upon a farmers market outside the city. Among the food, music, and atmosphere, I found a small booth dedicated to mate. It wasn’t just merchandise — it was heritage and storytelling. After asking countless questions, I left with my first gourd, bombilla, and bag of yerba, unknowingly beginning a lasting journey.
The first preparation was far from perfect. I made all the classic beginner mistakes — skipping preparation steps, using boiling water, and ending up with an overwhelmingly bitter experience. But that moment mattered. I’ve been drinking mate ever since that incident at the market in Miami. Instead of discouragement, it sparked learning, patience, and appreciation for the ritual behind the drink.
Currently I am using this mate gourd
Over time, mate became part of my daily rhythm. It grounded my mornings, sharpened my focus, and connected me to something larger than routine consumption. It represented presence, intentionality, and shared experience — values that now guide everything I aim to build.
Today, that personal journey shapes a broader mission: sharing mate with others and cultivating a global community that values connection as much as the drink itself. Whether you’re discovering mate for the first time or already part of its culture, you’re welcome here.
This story can also be heard on our podcast: Apple Podcast, Spotify, and YouTube.
Yours truly,
Thomas
Founder of Somos Mateína
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