I'm from Argentina, it's normal to do both, its a very social drink with friends. Not too higienical

I tried it, it's quite bitter and grassy. Not sure if it was the brand or how I made it, or if that's how it's supposed to be.

Straight mate is bitter. My wife and some people I've shared it with have said the same about it being grassy, I don't taste that myself though. You can also get it with mint or orange or other things if you don't want straight mate (I have these and plain mate so I can pick what I want each day). Some people add sugar or honey to it as well.

EDIT: Also, the first steeping and drink is the most bitter. After that it's much, much less bitter. Comparable to other teas and black coffee.

Ah that is why it is rebrewed. I do a mixed brew in a pair of quart jars. I fill about 2/3 w mate and water. Then I brew oolong tea and mix that strained tea w the mate that still has the mate leaves in it. I drink it w sugar. It's popular for the health and mood benefits it isn't consumed for flavor.

I've been drinking mate since before I could walk and I would disagree. It's an acquired taste but I wouldn't go so far as to say it's 'not consumed for flavor'.

I do something similar to what you do with mint tea instead of oolong for the summertime. A kind of terere cocido I guess lol.