There is nothing worst than wanting to drink out of that fancy gourd that you bought on your last trip to Argentina and suddenly finding out that it now has it’s own eco-system living inside it. This situation kind of reminds me of the movie Men In Black, when Will Smith opens a locker and …
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About a month ago I was contacted by a Triunfo do Brasil employee who invited me to visit their booth at the Biofach China 2015. Curious about how yerba mate was making its way into China, I jumped at this opportunity. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Mr. Oikawa, who works at the export department of …
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Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is mainly known for its use in the preparation of two types of drinks, mate, also known as chimarrão, and  tereré. Though these two drinks present similar preparation techniques, they certainly  have characteristics of their own. Mate & Tereré Both mate and tereré are typical drinks in  South America, originating from the region between …
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Drinking Chimarrão is a daily habit to most southern Brazilians, but slow market growth is forcing the yerba mate industry of Rio Grande do Sul to reinvent itself. The market has proven to be a bit too bitter even for Brazil’s bitterest drink.  After struggling with low sales in the last 6 years, Rio Grande do Sul’s …
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Uruguayan Frente Amplio  Senator and wife of outgoing President Jose Mujica, Lucia Topolansky, is running for mayor in Montevideo. Among her proposals, should the 70-year old  be elected, is to ensure that hot water dispensers are available for free throughout the capital city. Topolansky’s plan might sound ridiculous at first, but Uruguay is one of the largest Yerba mate consumers in …
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Increasing yerba mate prices are reshaping the way many Brazilians enjoy their mate. The state of Rio Grande do Sul is known for it’s Gaucho traditions and for drinking chimarrão in large and abundantly filled gourds.  In the last months, however, many gauchos are being forced to abandon their XXL lifestyle for something that fits their pockets. …
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1. To start the day: Rosamonte Clássica Rosamonte Clássica brewed with water at 80°C  is sure to get you up and running. Add no sweeteners if you’re brave. The taste is quite strong, making it the perfect yerba to get you ready for a long day of work. 2. For reading: La Tranquera Fairly acceptable yerba for an unbeatable …
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Plants are green, yerba mate is a plant, yerba mate is green, therefore yerba mate is good for my plants, right? Well…almost. In countries where one doesn’t go a day without a sip of the bombilla, it is believed that fershly consumed yerba mate makes a perfect natural fertilizer.  The truth is that this practice may not …
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