34969 Sat Mar 12 09:53:24 -0800 2005 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 158958 Hello. I am addicted to yerba mate (tea from Paraguay, Argentina, Brazil). I'm in the Bay Area for over a week and I forgot my bombilla (the straw with which to drink the loose tea) and yerba (the loose tea). Does anyone know of a Brazilian/Argentine grocer or shop that would carry the bombilla and other things? Helpful hints would be much appreciated. Sat Mar 12 09:53:24 -0800 2005 0 Spike_D 1 158961 There is a small Brazilian store on Valencia between 22nd and 24th [SF] that I know carries Yerbe Mate and I think, bombillas. They also carry a couple of brands of Guarana. I've also noticed Yerbe Mate at various "Healthy groceries"- Rainbow, Whole Foods et.al. Sat Mar 12 10:55:53 -0800 2005 158958 0 Jimbo 2 158986 Whole Foods in San Mateo has the paraphernalia, so maybe they all do? I always wondered how to use tthis stuff....can you explain (maybe on another board - Home Cooking perhaps?) Sat Mar 12 13:37:57 -0800 2005 158961 0 susan 3 159197 Many thanks to all who replied. I am a much nicer person when imbibing my yerba mate. The last poster asked how you drink this stuff. The traditional way follows the Guarní indian custom. You place the loose tea into a hollowed out gourd, add hot water and drink it out of a straw with a filter on the end. Over the years the straw has become a silver and gold showpiece and the gourd remade in various materials, often with silver accents. Darwin mentions drinking it on his visit to Patagonia (southern Argentina). The Guaraní indians were the original inventors. In the 1600s Jesuits created plantations in the area for the indigenous people to cultivate it. The Jesuits were later thrown out by Spanish immigrants who failed to achieve the same level of commecialization. Over the years it has spread throughout Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and neighboring countries. The following provides some more background. http://www.yerba-mate.com/yerba_mate_history.htm http://www.rain-tree.com/yerbamate.htm http://www.noborders.net/mate/ Mon Mar 14 10:14:28 -0800 2005 158986 0 Spike_D 2 159048 Also, just saw both yerbe mate and parapernalia at Lucca's Deli, 22nd and Valencia, SF... Sat Mar 12 22:38:33 -0800 2005 158961 0 Jimbo 1 159322 If you're in the East Bay there's an herbal/medicinal shop on Telegraph Ave. by the university in Berkeley. They had the "equipment" in a window display. Wed Mar 16 14:04:36 -0800 2005 158958 0 gp