Chimarrão

This is a special cultural element of South Brazil, where I grew up. From an aboriginal origin (the Guarani tribe) it is a green tea made of the leafes of the south American tree called "Ilex Paraguariensis" ("Erva Mate"), prepared with hot water in a natural gourd ("cuia") and it is drunk through a metallic straw called "bomba". Used especially in Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina and Southern Chile. This personal equipment of the photo is hold in a leathern recipient with the official coats-of-arms of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. We just bought some Brazilian Erva Mate in an Italian store here in Edmonton for Brazilian friends. Cheers!
© 2008 Manfred Zeuch