| In
1515, the Spanish conquistadores came to what is now Argentina
searching for gold and silver. They found Yerba Maté
instead.
To the indigenous Guaraní people of
the forest that lived in this part of South America, Yerba
Maté was a native bush which was considered a gift
of the Gods and whose leaves were used to make a beverage
that was a valuable source of energy and  nutrition.
It was also used as an ingredient in their medicinal cures.
The way the Guaraní people drank the
infusion was unique: the precious herb (yerba) was put into
a hollowed-out gourd (maté), they poured hot or cold
water on the leaves inside the gourd; a hollowed-out reed
(bombilla) was inserted and the gourd was passed around so
that each person could share the invigorating beverage. |
|
Early on, Spanish
and Portuguese colonists eagerly adopted this beverage and
its use spread throughout the whole of South America.
Yerba Maté became the constant companion of people
of all social backgrounds in towns and the countryside. Today,
the same magical ritual is repeated by millions of South Americans
on a daily basis. And as the word about yerba maté
spreads, more and more people around the world are adopting
maté as their daily beverage of choice to lift the
spirit, to start the day, to greet guests and to share good
times with friends and family. |
