Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 September 1904 — Brazil Has a Fine Tea. [ARTICLE]

Brazil Has a Fine Tea.

United States Consul Ayme writes from Para a recommendation of a Brasilian beverage, yerba mate tea, which Is prepared from the roasted and pulverized leaves of an evergreen forest tree. Yerba mate is largely consumed in Paraguay and in the Brazilian States, where it is made. It is extensively consumed in Argentina, In Uruguay, and to a less extent in Chill. There is a small consumption in other States of Brazil, a small quantity IS exported to Europe and'still less to the United States and Canada. Estimated exports may reach 45,000- to 57,000 tons annually. Yerba mate has a peculiar bitter, smoky taste, which Is usually considered unpleasant, and this has largely operated to prevent its more extensive use as a beverage, This smoky bitterness is chiefly due to the rude method employed for drying tho leaves and It seems likely that the Improved methods of drying the mate on Iron or copper pans would give a much more delicate and agreeable product Mate Is said to have all of the best qualities of coffee and tea as a stimulating health beverage, without the disadvantage of either. It Is a more gentle stimulant than either and Is said to be much used In the hospitals of Paris. The tree could probably be grown In southern California, perhaps in southern Texas, certainly In many parts of the Philippines*.