WHAT IS YERBA MATE?
A Gift from The Gods
Also known as Ilex paraguariensis, yerba mate (yer-bah mah-tay) is an evergreen shrub/tree from the Holly family that can reach heights of 60 feet in the wild and grows almost exclusively in the subtropical Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. To some it is known as the “Drink of the Gods,” but to the indigenous Guaraní it is their birthright ~ a Gift from the Gods with a storied history that goes back to pre-Columbian Paraguay over 500 years ago.
The Mythos
According to legend, Ka'a Jarýi, the goddess of the moon, was told by the sun about all of the joys and beauty of the jungle which, being the moon, she could not see in the darkness of the night. Naturally, she had an overwhelming desire to visit earth during the light of day to see for herself the birds, trees and flowers that had been so richly described to her. So, she did just that, trading her lunar powers for the form of a young woman so that she could move around in anonymity. She immediately began exploring the surrounding jungle, only to find herself face to face with a yaguarete (jaguar) that began growling and baring its teeth, clearly ready to pounce. She was literally “power-less,” and aware of the vulnerability of her human body, she braced herself for the attack and what was sure to be her last breath. It was then that an arrow from a Guaraní hunter found its mark and pierced the heart of the lunging beast. The moon was so grateful that she appeared to the hunter that night in a dream. She told him of the “magic seeds” that she would leave for him, and that once cultivated, the leaves of the yerba mate plant could be used for a “drink of friendship” that would endure for generations and create unity among his people.
National Drink
Yerba mate has been a staple in most Argentinean, Uruguayan and Paraguayan households since it was first introduced to the Guaraní so many years ago. Its appeal transcends borders as it is the National Drink in all three countries ~ although in Paraguay it is the cold brewed infusion of yerba mate known as tereré that holds that honor. And here are some additional bits of trivia you may find intriguing:
In Argentina they celebrate “Mate Day” every November 30th and, according to a study done by the National Institute of Yerba Mate in Misiones, Argentina, yerba mate is a staple in an estimated 98% of Argentinian households. What’s more, yerba mate is second only to water in popularity, surpassing coffee as the hot beverage of choice by about 6 to 1.
In Uruguay more yerba mate is consumed per capita than in any other country in the world. There is even a museum dedicated to yerba mate in the capital city of Montevideo.
In Paraguay yerba mate is one of the most common ingredients in many DIY medical treatments and household cures that have been handed down from generation to generation.
In Brazil it is known as chimarrão and is even sold by vendors on the famed beaches of Rio de Janeiro.
