Mexico has given the world a few herbal teas which are reputed to have medicinal properties. The making of tea from herbs began long before Spanish colonisation. It has its roots in the mists of time. Poleo, made from Clinopodium laevigatum can cure hangovers, stomach aches and liver disease. Many Clinopodium varieties are known to have beneficial properties as it is a rich source of antioxidants. Another tea which helps stomach complaints is Limon made from lemongrass. Yerba buena, a mint tea is also popular. Yerba teas, especially Yerba mate is a popular drink all over South America where it's known as mate. Traditional herbal teas need to be taken with caution as the wrong strength can be toxic.
Mate is a very popular tea in Argentina where it's been traditionally drunk for centuries. The fish Jesuit missionaries tried to ban it as they thought it was addictive. Later they changed their minds and started to grow plantations of Yerba mate. Whether their change of heart was financially motivated, we'll never know. Mate is traditionally served in a gourd and is drunk through a straw which has a filter in the drink end to stop sediment being ingested. It is an antioxidant, has cholesterol lowering properties and vitamins B1, B2 and C. Mate is drunk at breakfast as it has a high caffeine content. Mate cocido is a less bitter mate which is found in a tea bag and can be served western style.
In 1924 the Argentine government persuaded farmers to experiment with growing imported tea. Tea production was small scale as it was thought inferior to imported tea. All that changed in 1951 when tea imports were banned. As it was a popular drink, production increased and eventually led to exporting to Chile. Exports have since grown and Argentina is now a large player in tea propagation.
Mate is also popular in Brazil where it's known as Evra mate instead of Yerba mate. Both drinks are the same and are served in the same way. Lemongrass teas are very popular in Brazil as a medicinal drink. It can be mixed with fruits to give an added taste. Lemongrass is grown in Brazil after being imported from Asia. Mint tea made from Hypsis crenata is another medicinal tea which can cure flu, fevers and headaches as it has aspirin type properties.
It could be best to stay away from Ayahuasca tea while in Brazil and never bring it home as a souvenir. It's an hallucinogenic beverage which is from ancient times. It is classed as a Class A drug in the UK and USA. It is legal in Brazil as it's used for religious ceremony.
Tea seed was first imported to Brazil from China during the colonial period. Plantations really took off in the 1920s with the introduction of teas from India and Sri Lanka imported by Japanese immigrants. Just like the tea grown in Mexico, the high altitude tea from Brazil is used for blending, mostly in the USA.
It may come as a surprise to see so many South American nations producing tea. After all coffee is the crop which is associated with this region. The geographical, geological and climatic qualities match those of Asia. The colonists were already trading in Asia so it wouldn't take long before they experimented in their new lands and found success.
Source: http://www.savistamagazine.com/article/tea-senor-south-american-teas
new york knicks lin j.r. smith espn jeremy lin sleigh bells meek sturgis
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.