Yerba Mate- A Lovely South American Tradition And Treat

If you read my blog you should know by now that I am obsessed with all things tea. So when I stumbled across this little gem of branches and leaves I was tickled pink. Thanks to my beautiful Argentinian husband who lovingly introduced me this South American treat. Not only is it  healthy and great tasting, you get to drink it out of these beautiful little cups. The silver straw is called a Bombilla and to tell you the truth I feel regal drinking out of them. The one I own has a ruby embedded at the top of the straw.  It's quite easy to prepare. Like with tea, you boil water in a tea pot, add 3 to 4 tablespoons to the cup along with a sweetener of your choice. Place the straw in the cup and sip gently. Remember your not sipping soda pop, its hot water.

Guayakí Yerba Mate, the brand I drink has the “strength of coffee, the health benefits of tea, and the euphoria of chocolate" all in one beverage. Yerba mate (yer-bah mah-tay) is made from the naturally caffeinated and nourishing leaves of the celebrated South American rainforest holly tree (Ilex paraguariensis). For centuries, South America’s Aché Guayakí tribe have sipped yerba mate from a traditional mate gourd for its rejuvenative effects. These rainforest people find tremendous invigoration, focus, and nourishment in yerba mate. The leaves of the rainforest mate tree naturally contain 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids, abundant antioxidants. It is difficult to find a plant in any area of the world equal to mate in nutritional value" and that yerba mate contains "practically all of the vitamins necessary to sustain life."

You can make a pot of water, sit in a serene little nook in your house and fill your little regal cup of this South American treat to your hearts content. It's a wonderful tradition to incorporate in to your life. There are many different types of Mate and beautiful handcrafted cups to your liking. The Mate cup in the picture was purchased in Argentina where they make beautiful cups and Bombillas. You can find the cups and the Bombillas on line. One place to start is guayaki.com/mate/130/Yerba-Mate.htmlCached. Here's to tea my lovelies. If you have any questions about this article, feel free to ask.