Yerba mate, the earthy, caffeine-rich herbal infusion that fuels millions across Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, now has a permanent home in Singapore. Yerba Yerba, the city’s first dedicated mate café, recently opened on Bali Lane, offering locals a chance to experience the traditional South American brew in a setting shaped by handcrafted ceramics. Founded by 38-year-old ceramicist Ben Loong, the café blends a focused menu, a retail space for artisan goods, and plans for community events—all built around a drink that counts Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Formula 1 driver Franco Colapinto among its fans.
A South American Staple Goes Global
Often called South America’s “tea,” yerba mate is made by steeping dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant in hot water. Its caffeine release is gradual, providing steady energy without the jitters or crash associated with coffee. The drink is traditionally sipped from a gourd-shaped vessel through a metal straw called a bombilla, which filters out the leaves. Mate has gained a global following in recent years, especially among athletes who value its smooth, long-lasting effect.
From Ceramics to Café
Ben Loong, a full-time artist and lecturer at Lasalle College of the Arts, was introduced to mate by an Argentine friend three years ago. Once a coffee purist, he was won over by its warm, earthy flavor and now drinks it daily. His ceramics practice runs through every aspect of Yerba Yerba: Loong crafts the gourds, plates, and other ceramic pieces used for serving, many of which are available for sale. The café occupies part of Commongoods, a retail space he co-runs with a friend who operates the yakitori joint Sa Tae Bak downstairs. The store stocks mate equipment, clothing, and works by local artists, with community-led workshops and events planned for the future.
The Menu: Cold Brews to Traditional Sips
Yerba Yerba keeps its menu compact. For newcomers, cold brews ($5 to $9) are the most approachable entry point, milder and less bitter than the hot version. Options include the pure El Clásico ($5), a creamier version with oat milk ($7), a spiced blend with cinnamon ($8), and a refreshing herbal mix featuring chamomile and mint ($9). For a deeper dive, the traditional mate service ($16) provides a gourd of loose-leaf mate and a kettle of 70°C water for eight to ten refills. Four blends are sourced from Every Good Thing, a local supplier popular among Singapore mate enthusiasts: two Argentine (Cruz de Malta and the organic, unsmoked Porongo) and two Brazilian (Rei Verde Premium and Canarias Edición Especial).
Brewing Basics
Loong’s method for preparing mate at home is straightforward:
- Measure 25 grams (roughly one tablespoon) of leaves for a 125ml gourd.
- For powdery blends, cover the gourd with your palm and shake to remove excess dust.
- Tilt the gourd so the leaves form a slope.
- Pour 70°C water slowly at the base of the slope, wetting only the lower leaves.
- Let the leaves absorb the water, then gently compact them and insert the bombilla, tucking the filter under the slope.
- Avoid moving the straw or stirring the leaves throughout the session.
Tasting the Tradition
Starting with the Rei Verde Premium blend, the first steep is noticeably bitter and astringent, with fine sediments slipping through the filter—a normal occurrence with finer Brazilian cuts. By the third or fourth refill, the flavor mellows into malty, creamy notes with a faint sweetness. Regular green tea drinkers may recognize the grassy, woody undertones, though the intensity is more pronounced. A house-baked mate chocolate chip cookie ($2.50), made by Loong himself, balances the palate.
Building a Mate Community
Yerba Yerba currently attracts a small but growing following. Regulars include members of Singapore’s mate community who stop in for leaves, gourds, and straws, alongside curious football fans drawn by the drink’s athlete endorsements. Mate is still so unfamiliar that some first-timers ask whether it’s legal—it is. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong has shared his appreciation on Instagram, and the Argentine embassy has also helped promote the café.
Loong hopes to expand the menu with more cold brew recipes and pastries, slowly nurturing a local appreciation for the brew. With matcha’s explosive rise in recent years, could mate be next? For now, Singaporeans can get in early and experience a tradition that has sustained South American daily life for generations.
Plan Your Visit
Yerba Yerba is at 31A Bali Lane, Singapore 189867. Hours: Wednesday to Thursday, 1pm–6pm; Friday to Sunday, 1pm–7pm.
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