Description

The Guarani Indians of South America have been drinking a tea made from the wild yerba tree for centuries. Under the canopy of the rainforest, they have discovered numerous health benefits to the human body. The Guarani Indians noticed an increased immune system, reduced stress, improved digestion, and stimulation of their mental processes.

Yerba (pronounced Sherba) Mate was found to contain “practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life,” according to the Pasteur Institute and the Paris Scientific Society in 1964, which they also concluded “it is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to Mate in nutritional value.”

Today, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay consume over 300,000 tons of Yerba Mate which is produced yearly for consumption. The South Americans are truly passionate about their Mate! The Yerba Mate comes from a tree called “Ilex Paraguariensis”, which is cultivated in South America. The leaves are the “yerba,” which are dried and crushed to make a tea-like herb. The Argentineans add sugar or honey to sweeten the Yerba. You may follow suit or drink it plain like many of South America does.

If you would like to allow a proper flavor release and avoid a bitter flavor, steep your Yerba tea in hot water, not boiling. You can still experience an excellent tea by using a “hot steep”;  you can infuse the same tea leaves several times.

You will find this tea to be much like a green tea; vegetal, herbal, and grassy. For an interesting conversation, you can gather your friends around for a “passing of the gourd,” which is still a common practice even today! Pass the gourd, filled with Yerba Mate, in a counterclockwise motion,  from person to person. Continue drinking until the host/hostess, who prepares the gourd, runs out of water.