The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-12
YERBA-MA1E.
A South American Beverage That May
Supp.ant Tea and Coffee.

A South American Beverage That Ma,
= Supp.ant Tea and Coffee.
Twenty-Five million people in South
America instead Of drinking coffee pre-
fer verba-mate . which from its delight
ful taste. its delicate aroma and it.
slim ulating action upon the brain ane
nerves must be regarded as one of thu
pleasantest beverages in the world.
Five things are necessary to brew
yerba-mate in true South American
fashion. There is first the mate itself
which is a small gourd or calibash witt
round hole in the side. serving as {
teapot. Then one needs bolnbilla, {
metal tube usually made of silver ant
furnished with a strainer at it's lower
extremity.
Besides these there must be boiling
water OF milk, sugar and supply o.
yerba leaves which have first beer
thoroughly dried in ovens built for the
purpose ana then pressed.
When visitor arrives at any house
in Central America, Chilli, Peru, 30
livia or Paraguay he is Immediately
invited to partake of the yerba-mate
which is prepared in his presence BY
servants who from long practice have
acquired great certainty in the opera
ton.
The skilful brewing of the national
beverage is considered a matter of such
Importance in every household that
servants possessing special knowledge
of bringing out the correct taste of the
plant are highly valued and receive
better wages than others without that
accomplishment.
The first infusion is made Of leaves
of inferior quality, and this brewing is
usually consumed by the servant who
then adds fresh leaves of the best quail
ity and makes the second brewing for
the guests.
Each time new leaves are added boil.
ing water previously sweetened is
poured upon them, and each time the
calibash is emptied the old leaves are
allowed to remain in the bottles. This
is continued for half dozen brewings
when the calibash is emptied and
cleaned.
Instead of serving the yerba mate in
cups, as is customary among tea and
coffee drinkers. the calibash is passed
from guest to guest. each one holding
the bombilla between his lips and
| drawing what he pleases of the bever.
age through the silver tube. and then
passing it on to his neighbor. In other
| words, the bombilla is used in drinking
yerba-mate just as straws are used by
northern nations in drinking lemonade
or sherry cobbler.
All who have tried it are agreed that
this curious drink, properly prepared.
| is not only delicious to the taste. but
possesses remarka BILE properties
Taken early in the morning, it dissi.
pates rapidly the heaviness of sleep or
the slight headache produced by insult.
| ficient rest.
It's effect upon the brain is excellent
an increased flow of blood being di-
| rected to the head. stimulating the
| faculties to the keenest activity and
not followed by any unpleasant re-
| action.
hC pCSPiC vi L al An "hSlC Vic
| fnestsleaves grow, claim that yerba-
mate furnishes nourishment to the
body, while diminishing the organic
combustion. They endure the fatigue
of long journeys without inconven-
fence, taking no other nourishment
than an infusion Of this wonderful
plant.
The yerba leaves grow ON a large
tufted tree, bearing some resemblance
to the laurel. This tree fourishes in
many parts of South America, having
first been planted in Paraguay some
two hundred years ago by the Jesuit
fathers.
The yerba forests are held as state
monopoly and represent an important
source of annual income. One million
dollars worth of yerba leaves are ex-
ported every year from Paraguay
alone, end If European nations under
stood their value South America would
be unable to supply the demand.
The faculty of the Paris medical
academy recently made the following
reports upon the qualities of the yerba
plant:
The yerba- mate is closely allied to
tea, coffee and cocoa. It's stimulating
powers equal those of black tea, and
are doub BILE those of coffee. Besides that
it is so rich in resinous and fatty mat
ters that its use is strongly recommend
ed as being superior to eod-liver oil. :"
Who knows but in years to come the
tea of England the coffee of America.
the beer of Germany and the wine of
France may be replaced. partially at
least, by the yerbamate of South
America?-N. Y. Journal.
TITS awful queer to me, said Jimmie,
as he thought it over II can't see why