cebador

Cebador is a term used in South America for the person who prepares and serves yerba mate in the traditional mate-drinking ritual. The word derives from ce bar, meaning to supply with hot water, and the cebador is the individual responsible for “cebar” the mate during a round. The role is most commonly found in Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, parts of Paraguay, and northern Chile, and it can also apply to the equivalent practice with tereré in Paraguay.

In the typical hot-mate practice, the cebador loads a gourd with yerba mate, tilts the contents to form a slope, and lightly wets the leaves with a small amount of hot water to awaken aroma. A bombilla is placed in the gourd, and hot water (usually around 70–80°C) is added to produce the first serving. The mate is then passed to the left, and others drink before the cup is returned to the cebador for refilling. The cebador continues to refill as needed throughout the circle. In many contexts, water is heated anew between rounds, and the ritual emphasizes hospitality, attentiveness, and social interaction.

There are regional variations. In some areas, the first mate is prepared by the host or an experienced member who maintains the rhythm of refills; in parts of Paraguay, tereré—a cold-water version—is common, with the cebador preparing and refilling cold water instead of hot. The role may carry social nuances, signaling generosity and hosting responsibility within the group.