Tereré
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Tereré is an infusion of mate, similar to chimarrão but prepared with cold water (rather than with hot water), and in a slightly larger vessel. It is common in northeastern Argentina, southern and western Brazil, and Paraguay.
When not prepared with plain cold water, citrus fruit juices are usually used, although this practice varies depending on the region. While mixing fruit juices with tereré is common in northeastern Argentina and Brazil, it is rare in Paraguay. Lime and orange juices are used in Argentina and Paraguay, while in Brazil lime and pineapple juice are more common. However, the vast majority of people in Paraguay take their tereré with water with remedial herbs. Tereré taken with juice is commonly called "tereré ruso" (i.e., Russian Tereré) due to the fact that this practice is more common with Slavic immigrants common on the SE of Paraguay and NE of Argentina, than with Spanish- and Guaraní-speaking Paraguayan people.
In some parts of Argentina, Tereré is seen as a lesser form of mate, and its drinking hardly ever follows the traditional ritual.
First invented by the Guaranís Indians who lived in Paraguay and western Brazil (Mato Grosso do Sul), tereré was spread by the dwellers of that region, and for centuries was a social beverage. People usually prepare one jar of natural water and a "guampa" which is shared among the group of people. Since Paraguay and Mato Grosso do Sul have a very hot climate, this drink is excellent to refresh the body and can be considered a very low-calorie, non-alcoholic beverage.
Guampas are gourds that can be made from animal horns, usually made from ox horns. The new guampa or the one not used for some time needs to be watered before use, because the lower part of the guampa is usually capped with a round piece of leather. By filling the guampa with water the leather expands, covering all leaks in the guampa. Many guampas are capped using a wooden cork as well.
[edit] Tereré in Paraguay
Tereré is a typical drink from Paraguay. It is very popular among young and old people. It is common to see students going to school with a Guampa and their thermos underneath their arms filled with plenty of ice and water, for summer temperatures can reach 40° to 45° C (104° to 113° F).
Workers used to have a "tereré break" instead of a coffee break. In most workplaces, Tereré is allowed among other things because the yerba mate has stimulant effects that can be likened to the role of coffee in an American workplace.
As a popular remedy, the people of Paraguay heal various ailments such as headache, stomachache, diarrhea by adding medicinal herbs into the water.
The act of drinking Tereré is more than just that, however. It is often used as an excuse to share and chat with a partner, meet new people, or just for meditation when drinking alone at the end of the day.
