Athens Travel Forum

does anyone know where i can buy yerba mate in Athens? i sort of love the stuff.

I would first try the Central Market on Athinas Street between Omonia Square and Monastiraki Square, then in the Plaka. If not, someone there should be able to tell you where.

excuse my ignorance, but what is yerba mate?

yerba mate is a sort of tea consumed primarily by Argentinians, Uruguayans, Paraguayans and some Brazilians. It is drank from a special straw out of a special "mate" gourd.

There are so many nice herbal and natural teas here in Greece, that I think you should try them while you are here. For a start, 'tsai tou vounou,' or Mountain tea, is very nice and very healthy. It is a dried plant along with the flower blossoms and you just boil it whole in water and strain the liquid in to your cup.
We also have nice mint tea and other various herbal teas which can be bought at many natural food stores. 'when in rome do as the romans...' or when in Greece do as the Greeks...' Save you yerba mate for Argentina:):)

i like tea, and i will try those that you mentioned.
but i want my yerba mate. so i want to know if i should buy some now or if can get any once i'm there.

If you need to know before you go to Greece then you'd better be prepared to bring it with you. You might also try asking this question over on the Lonely Planet Western Europe Thorn Tree Branch for Greece. There are some residents of Athens who regularly contribute there.

It is possible to find yerba mate at the Central Market, at some shops specializing in herbs and spices, according to my Argentinian friends.But, it is very expensive and I suppose, does not worth all that fuss!

well compared to about $.30 / kilo in argentina, anything'd be expensive.
i'm glad to hear that it can be found. i will bring a smaller supply.

I just brought some from Argentina for my friends last week! :) Noone seems to like it though (its too bitter for us) so I guess it isnt so popular here...

As janet said try some local tea though! I love feta cheese but when I go abroad I try different cheeses :)

have fun!
k.