Terere

Terere is a drink that is consumed almost exclusively in Paraguay. It is the cold variation of mate. So, the herbs used also come from the yerba mate plant. So, it is basically the same thing as mate but it is served very cold.

Just like mate, terere is also drank through a silver straw called a bombilla and the mate is kept in a guampa. The guampa for terere is usually bigger or taller than the guampa that is used for mate. But, they can be the same ones too. The cold water is put poured into the guampa and sipped through the bombilla. The water is kept in a thermus and other herbs (such as mint) or lime can be put in that water. The bombilla, guampa and thermus can all be ornamentally made and this is one industry that is doing well in Paraguay. The thermus is usually decorated with leather and can be custom made so that whatever the owner wants can be written on it.

Terere works really well with the hot and humid Paraguayan climate. During the summer most people usually have terere around and it does not matter what time it is.

It is also part of the Paraguayan culture. Whenever people are together, terere is made and shared. Everyone takes a turn drinking a sip while there is usually one person who pours it and passes it to is next to drink turn it is.