I hope this email finds you out enjoying the warm weather that has embraced much of he country this weekend. I know it's cloudy and cool in the Northwest, and the plains states are dealing with some storms, but I believe the folks east of the Mississippi are enjoying plenty of sunshine and above-normal temperatures! (No, I don't moonlight as a meteorologist.)

It's about that time of year when many yerba mate drinkers swap out their warm brews for refreshing iced mate. Our summer blends are perfect for such a treat. Some of our active customers who are always on the go find it very convenient to toss a couple tea bags into a bottle of cold water to take with them to the trails, the tennis court, golf course, or wherever their active lifestyles take them.

When brewing iced mate, it's certainly OK to shake up a few teabags with cool water to enjoy in a hurry, but keep in mind many studies support the notion that hot water helps extract the nutrients from the leaf better than cooler water. The same holds true when brewing coffee, tea, or other herbals. Be careful not to use boiling water, as the extreme temperature associated with such has the potential to damage the vitamins and minerals in the leaf. One of our favorite ways to make iced mate is with an iced tea maker. With this method you can have a pitcher of ice cubes waiting to collect the brew immediately after the hot water has passed through the yerba. Sweeten with stevia and/or add a lemon slice for flavor!

Aviva + Stevia + Spearmint = Hmmmmm...Good!

I am extremely excited to introduce to you a new organization associated with our industry! We're proud to announce that Aviva is a founding member of The Yerba Mate Association of the Americas (YMAA). While the association was founded about a year ago, the website is recently launched with a ton of insightful information related to yerba mate, as well as an archive of media in which yerba has been featured over the years. Yerba Mate Association website!

Take care and we'll see you in a couple weeks. Don't forget you can Save on Mateccino teabags in April. Our storefront is a great place to start! As always, free shipping on domestic orders over $35!!