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March 2006 - A Short Note From The Desk of Dan. . .

Greetings,

Well, Mother Nature played a cruel joke on many parts of the country by dumping over a foot of snow on the first day of Spring! In the last newsletter I had mentioned about how I am so ready for Spring to be here. Perhaps I should further characterize my wish by saying I want warm, sunny weather to accompany it!

We've updated our Yerba Mate FAQ to reflect two new studies pertaining to drinking yerba during pregnancy and yerba's potential to aid in diabetic treatment. The complete paper is in pdf format and may be download via this link: http://www.yerba-mate.com/yerbamate.pdf

Let's continue to spread the word about yerba mate and make it easier for all of us yerba enthusiasts to "get a leaf." Until the weather breaks, wrap your hands around a nice warm cup of yerba mate. Then we'll break out the Mate Splash and our Cool Summer Blends!

We want to hear from you! (and we'll try to make it worth your time!) We can stand up here on our soapbox and tout the benefits of drinking Aviva yerba mate 'til we're blue in the face, and that still wouldn't have the impact on a yerba newbie like hearing about it from a fellow consumer. As a result, we're asking for you to submit a testimonial about your experience drinking Aviva yerba mate. Why do you drink Aviva over other brands? Is it the Wild Harvest (organic) aspect? Is it the pure leaf consistency (vs. traditional sticks/stems)? Is it the variety of flavors we offer? The convenience of tea bags? Or is it perhaps our dedication to sustainable cultivation methods?

Whatever the reason(s) may be, if you could take a moment of your time to let us know, we certainly would appreciate it. To reward you for your time, we're going to choose one testimonial each month to receive a free 5lb bag of any of our blends (shipped to you at no cost, too!). By submitting a testimonial, you agree to allow us to use it for promotional material that may include website or newsletter publication. Please submit your entry to: GoWild@yerba-mate.com March winner will be announced next week. You still have some time to submit an entry.

from Everything stops for tea with an Argentine twist by Colin Barraclough
March 10, 2006 — At first sight, yerba mate is an innocuous plant. A relative of common holly, it grows widely in the steamy forests of north-eastern Argentina. Place its leaves in an ornamental gourd, however, infuse in hot water, throw in a complex social ritual, and the bitter-tasting plant takes on almost mythical qualities.

Popularised by Argentina's gauchos, the hard­living cowboys and workhands of the fertile pampas, the consumption of mate (pronounced may-tey) has whipped through all sections of society, breaking through the barriers of class and race. The drink is central to the concept of argentinidad; more, it has become a national obsession.

"I couldn't live without mate," an Argentine friend gravely told me when I quizzed him on the habit. "For us, mate is like oxygen." Since I arrived in the capital, Buenos Aires, the practice had intrigued me. Many Argentines cannot bear to be separated from the paraphernalia of mate production and happily carry a decorated gourd, metal straw and hotwater flask everywhere, often in large leather satchels, despite the inconvenience. Travellers can stock up with near-boiling water at bus stations or buy disposable plastic flasks for long-distance trips.

My first day in the city, I watched a bus driver fighting to control his six-tonne, 10-wheeler without spilling a drop from a cup of mate held precariously in one hand. Strolling downtown, I noticed besuited businessmen sipping pensively at the liquid in a momentary break from the office. Resting in a leafy park, I fell into conversation with a homeless woman who chattered away happily, mate gourd in hand. I could see little that united the country's social extremes save for an undiluted enthusiasm for mate. But it is not easy for an outsider to join the true circle of mate drinkers. To be handed the mate gourd is a sign of acceptance within a group, a symbol of bonding and togetherness that Argentines use to barricade themselves against an ever more hostile world.

Mate use is so common in Argentina that it figures in a popular chat-up line - "yerba no hay?" - used by the country's youth. The line refers to a story in which two lovers are discussing how to spend an evening together. "We're bored," says one. "Shall we drink mate or make love?" Suggestively, the other murmurs, "Yerba, no hay . . . (There is no mate . . . )"

Source: FT.com (3/10/2006)

March Special. . . For the month of March, you can purchase a pound of Passion Berry PLUS! teabags for $26. This is a limited time blend! Ninety-percent Wild Harvest Aviva yerba, 5% China Keemun black tea; 5% passion fruit flavoring, peach flavoring, and marigold petals. No promotional code is necessary. As always, free shipping on domestic internet orders over $35. Our storefront is a great place to start!

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Sincerely,

Dan Garcia
Founder, Aviva Ltd.
www.yerba-mate.com
You have received this email because you either 1.) purchased product from us 2.) specifically opted-in on our website (yerba-mate.com) OR 3.) expressed interest from a beverage related affiliate site. We like to keep in touch with our current and potential customers via periodic emails (once or twice a month). If you'd like to be removed from our mailing list, simply unsubscribe via this link and we'll honor all requests, but keep in mind that some of our specials are only available for a limited time and offered exclusively to those subscribed to our list! We'll never sell or share your information with 3rd parties. Our mailing address: 206 N. 4th Avenue, Sandpoint, ID 83864

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