What Is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate (ilex paraguariensis) is a traditional South American drink that was first consumed by the Native Guaraní people dating back to Pre-Columbian Paraguay, Argentina, and neighboring countries. It was considered the “drink of the gods” because of its traditional and cultural importance, as well as the boost that mate gives you when drank. Although the Guaraní people had trouble domesticating this valuable herb, fast forward a couple of centuries and the Jesuits domesticated and began to export yerba mate. Fast forward a couple more centuries and we see mass production, exportation and consumption of yerba mate all across the globe (primarily Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Syria).