Apparently in Argentina they drink quite a bit of a tea called Mate which is traditionally drunk from a cup made from a gourd. The gourd is filled with the Mate tea and then the straw is used to drink the tea preventing the loose tea leaves from being consumed. I have since found out the Mate is filled with healthy anti Oxidants and that there is a fascinating tradition called the circular ceremony connected to it.
See below
Traditional Use:
Mate is the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil where it is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee. In Argentina, mate is a leading ingredient in their diet. In fact, in the poorer regions of Argentina, the government recommends that parents give mate to their children as a nutritional supplement. The Argentine Gauchos (cowboys) drink mate as their "liquid vegetable", relying on its array of nutrients to power them throughout the day. And the native forest peoples have survived periods of drought and famine drinking yerba mate and revere it as the “Drink of the Gods”.
In Paraguay, yuyeras (herbalists) have been using yerba mate for centuries as the base of herbal medicine mixtures called “remedios” or remedies. It is common to make “remedios” with yerba mate by steeping medicinal herbs in the water used to prepare mate in the gourd. It is believed that by improving circulation and promoting balance, yerba mate acts as a catalyst to enhance the healing powers of other herbs. Guayakí’s tea bag blends are inspired by the yuyeras.
The Name Yerba Mate
“Yerba” means herb. “Mate” is derived from the quichua word, "matí," which is the name of the gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) traditionally used to drink yerba mate. So, literally, yerba mate means “herb cup”. A special ceremony has been developed over the centuries for drinking yerba mate. Custom has it that a hollowed out gourd is filled with the leaves of the yerba mate tree, and a bombilla (straw filter) is inserted. The gourd is then filled with hot water repeatedly and shared in a circular ceremony. This method of enjoying yerba mate inspires openness between those in the circle allowing the mate to do more than just nourish their bodies but also to nourish the souls and relationships gathered there.
Mate is the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil where it is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee. In Argentina, mate is a leading ingredient in their diet. In fact, in the poorer regions of Argentina, the government recommends that parents give mate to their children as a nutritional supplement. The Argentine Gauchos (cowboys) drink mate as their "liquid vegetable", relying on its array of nutrients to power them throughout the day. And the native forest peoples have survived periods of drought and famine drinking yerba mate and revere it as the “Drink of the Gods”.
In Paraguay, yuyeras (herbalists) have been using yerba mate for centuries as the base of herbal medicine mixtures called “remedios” or remedies. It is common to make “remedios” with yerba mate by steeping medicinal herbs in the water used to prepare mate in the gourd. It is believed that by improving circulation and promoting balance, yerba mate acts as a catalyst to enhance the healing powers of other herbs. Guayakí’s tea bag blends are inspired by the yuyeras.
The Name Yerba Mate
“Yerba” means herb. “Mate” is derived from the quichua word, "matí," which is the name of the gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) traditionally used to drink yerba mate. So, literally, yerba mate means “herb cup”. A special ceremony has been developed over the centuries for drinking yerba mate. Custom has it that a hollowed out gourd is filled with the leaves of the yerba mate tree, and a bombilla (straw filter) is inserted. The gourd is then filled with hot water repeatedly and shared in a circular ceremony. This method of enjoying yerba mate inspires openness between those in the circle allowing the mate to do more than just nourish their bodies but also to nourish the souls and relationships gathered there.
I was so excited to learn about the traditions surrounding this tea, I found a web site which sells the mate and the gourds.
The company in addition to distributing the "best Mate in the world" Guayaki is also working towards reforestation of the South American rain forests.
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