My first introduction to Yerba Mate was two years ago. I was sitting outside a local coffee shop as I do so often, when my friend Robert pulls out of his back pack a large bull horn and a bag or green stuff. You can probably guess what I was thinking. Well I hadn't smoked in years and wasn't planning on starting again now. As he proceeded, I became very interested. The bull horn was shaped like a drinking vessel and he began to fill it with this green herb that I had never seen before. He called it Yerba Mate. It had a slightly sweet hay smell to it. He then pulled out a theurmose of water and filled the bull horn to the top. After a little stir with a silver straw he passed it to me "try this, its better than coffee" he said. I took a couple sips and went to pass it back. He said "no, tradition is you drink until is is gone, it will make a slirping sound". So I finished it off. The taste is smooth, crisp,slightly sweet. It was good. Robert then refilled the bull horn with water and passed it to the next person at our table. A few munites went by and I started to understand why he liked this Yerba Mate. It felt like I had just woke up from a nap. My senses were coming alive. My mind felt more clear and body less slugish. About then it was time for me to get going. I remember for the next couple hours feeling very alert and relaxed at the same time. Of course as soon as I could, I did some research on this Yerba Mate and I started looking for a good source! Here is what I have found. I encourage you to do your research and then come share a Mate with me. -Chad Wagner
Great source of info:
http://guayaki.com/
Definitions:
Cebador - The preparer of the mate gourd. The Cebador(a) prepares and shares the yerba mate with a group of friends and is responsible for serving a great tasting mate.
Guampa - The Traditional Guampa is a cup crafted from a hollowed bulls horn used to drink a chilled infusion of yerba mate.
Chortle - The sound the water makes as the last bit is sipped or "chortled" from the gourd through the bombilla.
Bombilla - A straw like infuser with a filter tip used to sip yerba mate. Often made of metal or bamboo.
Mateado - the state of clarity and exhuberance of being under a healthy dose of yerba mate.
Where to buy:
Utah Locals curbsidecoffee.net
Buy the cup SLC http://www.facebook.com/CafeSolstice
Online Source http://guayaki.com/category/12/Loose-Leaf-Mate.html
