¿ Cómo se produce la yerba para tus mates?

Summary

Yerba Mate, a quintessential Argentinean drink, is produced through a meticulous process involving seedling cultivation, soil preparation, and harvesting in Misiones and Corrientes. The leaves undergo 'sapecado' to halt oxidation, followed by a variable duration of drying. 'Yerba Mate Canchada' is then crushed, aged up to two years, and milled for the final blend. The natural, healthy product receives only heat, time, and milling, ensuring its quality and flavor.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Mate is a quintessential Argentinean beverage, deeply integrated into daily life.
• 🌿 The production process of mate involves a vast network of people from cultivation to consumption.
• 🌱 Seedlings are grown in a vivarium from seeds of selected mother plants and reach the field at 9-12 months old.
• 🏗️ Farmers prepare the soil with treatments to prevent erosion and enhance water and nutrient absorption before planting.
• 🌳 Seedlings are protected from direct sunlight by 'ponchillos' and grow to be pruned after four years.
• 📐 The production area, spanning 2,000 million square meters, is primarily located in the north-eastern provinces of Misiones and Corrientes.
• 📅 The harvest season for mate runs from April to September.
• ✂️ Farmers prune productive branches, which are then taken to the local drying plant for processing.
• 🔥 The 'sapecado' process uses direct heat to stop oxidation, preserving the color and properties of the leaves.
• 🔥 Drying involves applying heat for up to 20 hours, depending on the system, to reduce the moisture content.
• 🍃 A thick crushed product, 'Yerba Mate Canchada', is produced, with three kilos of green leaves needed for one kilo of final product.
• 📦 'Yerba Mate Canchada' is aged in special bags for up to two years to develop its aroma, appearance, color, and flavor.
• 🔄 The final stage involves 'milling', where each brand creates its unique blend.
• 🏷️ Each pack receives a certification stamp at the end of the packaging line, ensuring the quality of the natural and healthy product.

Q & A

What is the significance of mate in Argentinian culture?

Mate is a representative drink of Argentina, deeply integrated into daily life and enjoyed by many.

What is the initial step in the production process of mate?

The process begins in a vivarium where seedlings are multiplied using seeds from carefully selected mother plants.

How long does it take for the seedlings to be transferred to the field after multiplication?

Seedlings are transferred to the field after they reach an age of 9-12 months.

What are the soil treatments performed by farmers before planting mate seedlings?

Farmers perform several soil treatments including tracing contours to prevent erosion and sub-soiling to allow water and nutrient infiltration.

How does the protective measure 'ponchillos' contribute to the growth of mate seedlings?

The 'ponchillos' protect the seedlings from direct sunlight, aiding in their growth until they reach the age of four.

Where is the production area of mate located and how large is it?

The production area, approximately 2,000 million square meters, is located in the north-eastern provinces of Misiones and Corrientes.

What is the duration of the harvest season for mate?

The harvest season for mate runs from April to September.

What is the 'sapecado' process in mate production and why is it important?

The 'sapecado' process involves exposing green leaves and thin branches to direct heat to stop oxidation, preserving the product's color and properties.

How long can the drying process of mate last, and what is its purpose?

The drying process can last up to 20 hours, depending on the system, and it is meant to reduce the moisture content in the leaves.

What is 'Yerba Mate Canchada' and how is it produced?

'Yerba Mate Canchada' is a sub-product obtained after the drying process, created by thick crushing and then packed for aging.

How much green leaf material is required to produce one kilo of Yerba Mate?

To produce one kilo of Yerba Mate, approximately three kilos of green leaves are needed due to the dehydration process.

What is the final stage of the Yerba Mate production process called and what happens during this stage?

The final stage is called 'milling', where each brand creates its perfect mix to achieve the desired blend, followed by packaging and certification stamp application.

How does the production process of Yerba Mate contribute to it being a natural and healthy product?

The production process involves only heat, time, and milling, without any artificial additives, thus preserving the natural and healthy qualities of Yerba Mate.