The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-07-27
A Substitute for Coffee and Tea.

Consul Ayme writes from Para,
Brazil, that yerba mate is teaiprepared
from the roasted and pulverized leaves
Of the Hex paraguagensis, an ever
green forest tree found in southern Bra
zil and the neighboring region. The
Leaves are found in the forest. either
on isolated trees Of considerable lofti-
ness or, more rarely, on tree in small
groves. Isolated specimens have been
grown, and the plant can no doubt be
cultivated under proper conditions.
1t is not necessary to cultivate it in
Brazil. as enough is found wild.
Ia Brazil it is found plentifully in
loarana, Santa Catharina and ,M.tto-
Crosse, and to limited extent in
Rio Grande. It is also found abundantly
in Paraguay. It grows on the higher
lands, usually from 1000 to 1000 feet
above sea level and in rich alluvial
or 1oamy leaf soils. In attemps at cul-
t;ivation it is said the greatest dificul-
ty is found in securing termination of
the seed. It is popularly believed
that the seeds will germinate only
when the fruit has been eaten by
birds, the hard seeds being excreted
ss though they underwent some chemi-
cal or other change in the BIRDS in
testines.
Yerba mate is largely consumed in
Paraguay and in the Brazilian states,
where it is made. 1t is very exten-
sively consumed in Argentina, in Uru-
quay, and to less extent in Chilli.
There is small consumption in ether
states of Brazil. a. very small quanti-
ty is exported to Europe, and still less
to the United States and Canada.
Estimated exports may reach 45, 600
to 5000 tons annually, thus: From
F'arana principally to the River
Elate), 25,o00 tons: from Santa Cath
arina, 5000 to 5000 tons; from Matto-
Crosse. 5000 to 5000 tons; from
Paraguay, 10000 tons.
The harvesting and preparation of
outer branches of the tree are cut of,
and these branches are passed rapidly
t!rugh the flames of great fire.
This passing through the fame willis
and toughens the leaves. A rack or
loose platform of interlaced branches,
about two feet high, is constructed.
Under this slow fire is kept burn
ing and upon it are spread the wilted
branches of mate. tied up, sometimes
in small bundles The smoking and
drying of the leaves to bring out the
full aroma reqaires considerable skill.
When the leaves are perfectly dry they
ale Cleaned from stick and dust and
beaten or ground into powder. The
coarseness or 6neness of this powder
varies in the different markets. The
manufacture is carried on in factories
established in the towns; thus there
are some9 dozen factories in Curytiba,
in the state of Parana
Yerba mate has a peculiar bitter,
smoky taste, which is usually consid-
cred unpleasant, and this has largely
operated to prevent it's more extensive
use as a beverage. This smoky bitter
ness is chiefly due to the rude method
employed for drying the leaves, and it
seems likely that improved methods
of drying the mate on iron or copper
pans would give 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 disadvantages
of either. 1t is more gentle stimu-
liant than either and is said to he
much used in the hospitals of Paris
The tree could probably be gronn in
southern California, perhaps in south
ren Texas, certainly in many parts ne
the Philippines.
= Work has been commenced on big