Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-11-03

appropriate destiny.
For the Standard.
THE "NEW TEA."-THE MATTE OF PARA.
GUAY-THE YOPON OF CAROLINA.
AsHEBoRouGH, Randolph Co.,l
October l6, 1858.
MEssRs. ED1ToRs notice in your paper of the
18th inst, editorial article, stating that OBJ
ect of the Paraguay expedition is to introduce into
the country tue mA , or Paraguay Iea IN otner
Paraguenian Holly) Now if you will allow me
some space in your columns, can prove, to North.
Carolnians at least that there is introducing
what already exists in large quantities in this coun-
try. In short, it is my opinion that the Yopon of
Carolina is identical with the Matte of Paraguay and
I am sure all persons who examine the subject will
come to the same conclusion. DR.. Jas. Johnston in
his excellent work-Chemstry of Common Life
speaking of the Paraguay tea, says
"The tree which yields the Yerba Cor plant par
ercellenee as this tea is called, does not appear to
be object of culture. 1t grows spontaneously,
in extensive natural plantations amid the forests of
Paraguay The merchants fit out
parties of men, chiefly Indians, for the purpose of
collecting the Yerba and at the proper season pro.
coed to the forests. When in the course of their
Journey they come to Verbal, growth of Matte
Trees sufficiently extensive to make it worth while
to halt and collect the leaves, they begin by con.
structing long line of wgwams, which they cover
with the broad leaves of the Banana and Palm. An
open space is then prepared, of which the soil is
beaten with heavy maets until it becomes hard and
smooth. Over this is erected kind of arch, made
of hurdles, called Barbaqua, upon which the Yerba
branches are placed. Beneath these a large fire is
kept up until the foliage is thoroughly dried and
roasted, without being scorched suffered to ig-
mite. The hard floor is then swept clean, the dried
branches are laid upon it, and the now brittle leaves
beaten off with sticks"
Now for the analogy. Every one acquainted with
w at a tv in
the mode of preparation. The smaller branches of
the tree gathered and put in large kettles
slow fire until the leaves and stems thorough
y dried, then are they chopped up and packed away
in sacks or barrels The manner of preparation of
the leaf for drinking is the in both. The Para
guanans. however, drink the tea through tube
similar to those used for mint juleps by our fancy
young men. The only matter Of dscord between
the two which can notice is. Johnston says the
leaf of the Matte is about inches ong-he leaf of
Yopon is not more than two three In this how.
ever he may have been mistaken as his information
was obtained from Others The leaf of the Matte is
bordered with fine serates, so is that of Yopon.
Johnston states that the tea, when allowed to stand
awhile, becomes very dark in color. Such is exact
ly the case with the Yopon. He says that the Para
as an invigorant Of The wasted system. The same
may truly be said Of Yopon. l heard of one good
old lady, speaking Of its properties, who said that
had kept her out of Heaven for twenty-five years.
And have, within my own observation remarka-
BILE of its beneficial effects Johnston says of
the Matte it will, if taken in excess, intoxcate;
that it i'll calm the restless and excite the torpid.
The with truth be said of Yopon.
But again: have before me paper published
in Edenton, in 1856, in which communication is
copied from the N: Y. journal Of Commerce., and
the editor, in copying it, remarks the parallelism
between the Matte and Yopon. shall make an ex-
tract from the communication. 1t is dated San
PauIo Brazil, 1855; and after some Introductory
remarks upon the extensive trade in Matte, says:
''Matte is the name Of the prepared article OF the
tree or shrub, which is commonly known to 5Ota-
nists the Tier Pdrdgupnsss. 1t is also classified
by Won Mortius as belonging to the Rhama family,
and he gives it the scientific name OF Cuisine Gou
gonya. The Spaniards usually denominate it the
Yerba de Paraguay.
81 was not little pleased to find that my friend,
DR.. R., Gan American Physician and botanistO was
perfectly acquainted with the mode Of its prepare
ton we'll IS its class and family. The pleasure
thus derived, however, gave way to establishment
when he informed me that in the United States the
Paraguay tea not only was to be found, but was &C
tually used beverage by the people of the region
where it grew. DR.. r. recounted to me one day in
his office at Lmeira his wonderful adventures when
younger man he roamed over nearly every South
ern and Western State, hunting for the weed which
was vulgarly supposed to cause milk sickness AL
though he did not find the cause of that disease,
which has so damaged many speculation in west
ance of little tree in North Carolina from the
leaves of which many of the country people of the
Old North State "made tea" If remember right
ly, he informed me that it was the Iler Euponia;
but scientific readers must not hold me responsible
for the name, as my note book may probably mis-.
lead me- A few years after, DR.. R. was in this most
glorious field for boanist in the world-ths South
ern Brazil, whose magnificent fore has been the
wild delight of every favored follower of Linnseus
that has been permitted to enter it. In the
of his rambles, he encountered the Iler Paraguaen
SIS and Immediately sauted it as his old acquant-
ance (under features but little differently of North
Carolina Some months elapsed and he visited Par
anagua; and he was almost much surprised at
another discovery, which was not, however, in the
botanical line. He found in this out o-the- way
place, an American woman engaged in the delightful
art of preparing pork and beans for natives and for
eigners who might patronze her establishment. In
conversation with Dr. r. in regard to matte, she
claimed, why, Doctor, this is the same truck We
use in Carolina to make tea" Here was a most
striking confirmation of the true conclusion Of SCI
ence"
Now, with these proofs and condolences, think
my case is pretty fairly made ut,-that the HATTIE
of Paraguay and the Yopon of North. Carolina are
nearly if not entirely, the The Yopon of our
coast is very generally drank among the poorer class
in that section. and many of the captains of YES.
sells prefer supply of it to Coffee as they say their
men with it able to endure more fatigue and ac-
complish more labor It grows wild upon our cas-
tern coast, but when cultivated and trimmed, makes
a beautiful tree. have been told that there aref
several trees in this county, but have never seen
them. A gentleman not long since informed me
that it was grown in New Orleans as hedge tree.
Quantities of it sold throughout the eastern part
of this State and Virginia It retails in the markets
Of Edenton, Elisabeth City and Plymouth at from
90 to IS cents per bushel. This, however, is the
roughly prepared stuff l have no doubt should
some pains be takento prepare it and bring it before
ha ms n VA IF
commerce And, now, with these facts in the light,
1t seems to me to be useless business for the United