Argentina’s yerba mate herbal tea now available in Vietnam

Yerba mate tea (Photo courtesy of the Argentine embassy in Vietnam) 

Hanoi (VNA) – Seven tonnes of Argentine yerba mate, an herbal infusion, have arrived in Vietnam. The first shipment which took place in June is now selling in Vietnam. 

Yerba mate tree (scientific name is Ilex paraguariensis) is a species of plant that is widely grown in South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Consumers can drink yerba mate hot or cold, and often combine with other herbs from the region.

In Argentina, the average consumption of yerba mate is 6.4kg each year and more than 90 percent of households drink it.

Today, in addition to Latin America, yerba mate is available all over the world including in Europe, the United States, Canada, the Middle East, Oceania and Asia.

People can drink yerba mate at any time, and it is suitable for a wide range of consumers, regardless of age. With the health benefits of this infusion, athletes from different disciplines around the world are choosing the beverage. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, helping to lower cholesterol.

Enjoying yerba mate tea at the Hanoi University (Photo courtesy of the Argentine embassy in Vietnam) 

With a high content of polyphenol, yerba mate has the antioxidants up to 90% more than green tea. Yerba mate provides several types of vitamins, especially B vitamins; minerals, in which the content of potassium and magnesium is high; and is a rich source of energy, with compounds that help promote central nervous system and brain activity.

Yerba mate contains the amount of caffeine (in the form of Mateina) equivalent to coffee (78mg) that helps the body to be awake and focused; at the same time, it has Theobromine and Theophylline, which are only found in chocolate and regular tea and that help consumers feel comfortable and relax.

Drinking yerba mate daily also helps to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby supporting weight loss if combined with a suitable and regular nutritional menu, according to the National Yerba Mate Tea Institute - INYM.

Yerba mate products, imported to Vietnam through Matéa ™ Company, are now available in restaurants and specialized stores or can be purchased online in major cities. These products are selling successfully and a lot of Vietnamese consumers love to drink it.

Argentine Ambassador Pablo Beltramino and importer Bui Minh Tien (Photo courtesy of the Argentine embassy in Vietnam) 

Argentine Ambassador to Vietnam, Pablo Beltramino said: “This first shipment to the Vietnamese market is a special occasion, as the projection of the Argentine yerba mate in Vietnam and from here on as a kick off towards the Southeast Asian market. Vietnamese are known as well-knowledgeable on all kinds of high quality teas and infusions. We expect that yerba mate will be included in the diverse list of quintessential teas and infusions products favored by Vietnamese people".

He added "I have no doubt that our Vietnamese friends will love this product a lot due to the variety of ways to enjoy the tea: hot, cold or combined in other drinks”.

Matéa ™ company is the exclusive distributor in Vietnam of Las Marias company with Yerba Mate products under brands such as Taragui, Unión and La Merced. Currently, Establicimiento Las Marias with their yerba mate brands is the biggest producer of Yerba Maté in the world since 1924.

Matéa™ company is preparing to launch a franchise chain related to yerba mate beverages at 28/52 To Ngoc Van, Hanoi, which is expected to open in early November. Guests can experience the traditional or modern yerba mate culture.

Enjoying yerba mate tea at the Hanoi University (Photo courtesy of the Argentine embassy in Vietnam) 

Matéa™ believes that Yerba Maté will be a source of energy to help improve the health of Vietnamese people, thereby speeding up the post-Covid country reconstruction” – said Mr. Bui Minh Tien, CEO of Matéa™. Information about Matea ™ can be found at www.matea.vn.

Argentina is the world's leading producer and exporter of yerba mate. According to the National Yerba Mate Tea Institute (INYM), from January to July 2021, Argentina produced 637 million kg of yerba mate tea, of which the export amount was 21 million kg./.