THE CHIMARRÃO, FOR ALL HOURS

THE CHIMARRÃO ?

A partner of all hours in the south of Brazil and globally known, it is the most traditional drink in South America - so much so that in Rio Grande do Sul it even has a special date: April 24th, Chimarrão State Day.

Where did Chimarrão/Yerba Mate come from?

The culture of Chimarrão/Yerba Mate is a legacy of the Quínchas, Aymara and Guarani natives. They inhabited the rivers region of Paraná, Paraguay, Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, and this custom was passed to the colonizers.

The natives ingested a drink made from chopped leaves and hot water. The liquid was placed in a small porong (a kind of gourd) and a straw made of taquara (a kind of bamboo found in Brazil) was used. At the base of the straw there was a fibre strip that prevented the waste from passing through.

It provides several health benefits:

- It is efficient for eliminating fatigue and giving energy.

- It is digestive and for some people it works as a laxative.

- It contains minerals such as iron, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese.