Yerba Mate - Argentina

Yerba mate, known scientifically as Ilex paraguariensis, is a species of tree from the holly family that is native to South America's Atlantic Forest. In Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, it is widely cultivated, with some growing up toalmost 100 feet tall in the forest. The consumption of yerba mate is deeply intertwined with the traditional practices and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Guarani (gwar-a-nee) who have been sharing their expertise with other cultures for generations. Today, yerba mate is enjoyed worldwide for its energizing effects and is a symbol of cultural identity in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The traditional custom of sharing yerba mate among friends in a gourd circle (ronda/roda de mate) continues to bring people together. There are many ways to consume yerba mate. Many people enjoy it as mate or chimarrão, a hot infusion of the loose leaves in a gourd (mate [ma-tay] or cuia [ku-yah]) with a metal straw calle