Mate*

Un mundo con yerba es un mundo mejor

* Pronounced "mateh."

(This mate, a simple and small wooden "cup," was used by Abuelo Juan every day for 25 years)

Excerpts from my fictitious book, "Mate for Dummies."

Mate is the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. This tea-like infusion was originally taken by the Guaranis, the native inhabitants of southern South America  and then quickly adopted by the newly arrived Europeans. It consists of "yerba," which is a mixture of different native plant leaves that are dried, served in a gourd that an range from simple ones made out of wood or empty shells from large, round seeds, to elaborate ones, adorned with silver and intricate designs by skillful artisans. The yerba is put inside this gourd, and then hot water is normally poured over it. A metal straw called "bombilla," with a lower end full of small orifices, filters the water. This bitter drink takes some getting used to, but is has been linked to many health benefits, including helping the digestive process, it is full of antioxidant, and it supplies vitamins, minerals and amino acids. 

Mate is now a constant feature in the social life of the southern cone. It has small amounts of caffeine (technically, it is "mateine," a relative of the caffeine), so it is mildly stimulating, but without the jitters of coffee. It gives a feeling of calm awakening. The Gauchos (Argentine cowboys of the Pampas) were among the first ones to adopt the new drink,  and would have it at the end of a day sitting around a fire, after working in the field, and would pass the Mate around while stories were exchanged. This social component of Mate still persists today. Unlike coffee or tea where each drinker has his own cup, there is usually only one Mate around, and people wait for their turn while munching on a variety of sweets and "talking story." Once a person finishes a serving, it is refilled with hot water and occasionally fresh yerba is added ton top of the old one. Many rounds come and go like this. It is either because of effects of the drink itself or due to social conditioning (or both), this ritual can last several hours while the talk is good.

Above, enjoying mate in Hawaii.

A girl from the wild, head-hunting island of Borneo, trying (and enjoying) Argentine Mate.

Links

for more info about Yerba Mate, try these links

http://www.yerbamate.com/Page.asp?ID=1 (a company with a conscience, which also provides Mate and Yerba)

http://www.noborders.net/mate/what.html

  http://www.stevianow.com/scientific_research.htm