Hello HIVE community! Today I am going to talk about MATE. For those who do not know it, MATE is an infusion that is consumed mainly in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It consists of a container with a light bulb, in which a herb called yerba mate is placed and hot water is added, which is around 80°C. This drink is consumed in the morning, in the afternoon, at night, bitter or with sugar, mixed with some other herbs or only with yerba mate, alone or in company, at home, at work, in the parks, in the car, some do it even on public transport! In hot times it is taken with cold water and is called tereré.
Image source: https://www.quieromate.com.ar
MATE is the infusion that most unites people, it is a social drink (almost like beer haha), an excuse to share a moment with loved ones. In times of coronavirus, drinking mate is prohibited since light bulbs cannot be shared because it can be a means of spreading the virus. But in the old normal, you drank mate with several people and they all use the same mate and the same light bulb, which may sound disgusting in other places in the world. For us it is something that is already completely normalized, no one was denied a mate!
Going back to the previous question, is MATE a food? According to the Argentine Food Code (CAA), a food is “any natural or elaborated substance or mixture of substances that, ingested by people, contributes to their body the materials and energy necessary for the development of their biological processes. The designation "food" also includes substances or mixtures of substances that are ingested by habit, customs, or as adjuvants, whether or not they have nutritional value”. Mate is clearly a substance ingested by habit and custom, and we also have to consider the vitamins and minerals provided by the beloved yerba mate.
Therefore, we conclude that MATE IS A FOOD! We can continue to enjoy it :)
I hope you liked this information!
Regards.
Laura.
