On March 15, 2016, the Undersecretary of Food and Beverage ("Subsecretaría de Alimentos y Bebidas"), gave the pertinent recognition to the National Institute of Yerba Mate ("Instituto Nacional de la Yerba Mate" – INYM) for the new Geographical Indication (GI), namely YERBA MATE. Yerba mate is an infusion, whose consumption is rooted in everyday life and habits of millions Argentines. The Yerba Mate plant is grown and processed in South America.
Thanks to this recognition, the National Institute of Yerba Mate of Argentina will be able to distinguish its products, generating added value for production and sale. In addition, consumers will have a guarantee regarding the quality of the products and also greater access to information about components. Also, through this seal each packet of yerba mate will carry, legal protection is provided. Additionally, it guarantees that the quality of the products is linked to the geographical origin of the product.
The Yerba Mate infusion, called mate in Spanish-speaking countries or chimarrão in Brazil, is prepared by filling a container, typically a gourd, up to three-quarters full with dry leaves (and twigs) of the mate plant, and then filling it up with water at a temperature of 70–80 °C (158–176 °F), hot but not boiling. Sugar may or may not be added, and the mate may be prepared with cold water.
The production of Yerba Mate constitutes an important regional agribusiness as it mobilizes the productive, industrial and commercial sectors, generating thousands of jobs.
Originally published on 7 April 2016 in http://www.inym.org.ar
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