6
1 Yerba Mate Tea, a Traditional South American …
2001). In addition, the cultivation of yerba mate is a business, but specific
and sometimes non-uniform procedures are carried out in different Countries
(Giberti 1994; Heck and De Mejia2007). Historically, yerba mate leaves are
known and appreciated as infusion since pre-Columbian era (Bracesco et al.
2011)
(b) Coffee is broadly consumed worldwide in various forms (Matta 2019). Two
main types are known and used: Coffea arabica and C. canephora (also named
C. robusta). Actually, coffee is not a specialised tradition of South American Countries. On the contrary, coffee traditions spread historically from the
ancient Ottoman Empire, specifically the Yemen region. Subsequently, coffee
has been one of the distinctive symbols of colonialism: the French, Spanish,
Dutch, British, Portuguese, German, Italian, and North American possessions
worldwide have known coffee during the last centuries. However, coffee has
specifically been cultivated in the Latin American countries: the amount of
South American coffee was more than 2:1 if compared with the resting world
production (based generally in Africa and Asia) in 1980. Subsequently, the
non-South American production, especially in Africa, has obtained notable
results: however, a typical separation between robusta type (grown specifically in African and some Asian Countries) and the arabica product (a typical
South American food) persists at present (Clarence-Smith and Topik 2003)
(c) Finally, the açaí berry (Euterpe oleracea) is an interesting case. Basically, it is
a native fruit of the Amazonian area (Brazil only). It is consumed essentially
as it is (fruit pulp), although different derived products can be found on the
market: juices, tablets, etc. (Matta 2019). Recently, it has been reported as a
product containing notable amounts of antioxidants, with consequent antioxidant activity (da Silveira et al. 2017; Matta 2019; Yamaguchi et al. 2015). This
example demonstrates the economic importance of a food product which is
found only in one region (the Amazonian area) and one Country (Brazil), at
present.
On these bases, it can be understood that the research for new healthy foods with
some regional feature and possibly a well-defined ‘localisation’ of the product is
one of the new routes currently followed by the food and beverage industry. This
situation is also observed clearly when speaking of non-tea vegetable infusions such
as yerba mate, a peculiar product which many aspects should be discussed for.
1.3 Ilex Paraguariensis, a Peculiar Plant, and Yerba Mate
1.3.1 Biodiversity in South America. I. Paraguariensis
and Localisations
As above mentioned, I. paraguariensis is diffused in South America, and widely
present in four Countries of this area: Argentina (Norte region), Uruguay, Paraguay,
1 Yerba Mate Tea, a Traditional South American …
2001). In addition, the cultivation of yerba mate is a business, but specific
and sometimes non-uniform procedures are carried out in different Countries
(Giberti 1994; Heck and De Mejia2007). Historically, yerba mate leaves are
known and appreciated as infusion since pre-Columbian era (Bracesco et al.
2011)
(b) Coffee is broadly consumed worldwide in various forms (Matta 2019). Two
main types are known and used: Coffea arabica and C. canephora (also named
C. robusta). Actually, coffee is not a specialised tradition of South American Countries. On the contrary, coffee traditions spread historically from the
ancient Ottoman Empire, specifically the Yemen region. Subsequently, coffee
has been one of the distinctive symbols of colonialism: the French, Spanish,
Dutch, British, Portuguese, German, Italian, and North American possessions
worldwide have known coffee during the last centuries. However, coffee has
specifically been cultivated in the Latin American countries: the amount of
South American coffee was more than 2:1 if compared with the resting world
production (based generally in Africa and Asia) in 1980. Subsequently, the
non-South American production, especially in Africa, has obtained notable
results: however, a typical separation between robusta type (grown specifically in African and some Asian Countries) and the arabica product (a typical
South American food) persists at present (Clarence-Smith and Topik 2003)
(c) Finally, the açaí berry (Euterpe oleracea) is an interesting case. Basically, it is
a native fruit of the Amazonian area (Brazil only). It is consumed essentially
as it is (fruit pulp), although different derived products can be found on the
market: juices, tablets, etc. (Matta 2019). Recently, it has been reported as a
product containing notable amounts of antioxidants, with consequent antioxidant activity (da Silveira et al. 2017; Matta 2019; Yamaguchi et al. 2015). This
example demonstrates the economic importance of a food product which is
found only in one region (the Amazonian area) and one Country (Brazil), at
present.
On these bases, it can be understood that the research for new healthy foods with
some regional feature and possibly a well-defined ‘localisation’ of the product is
one of the new routes currently followed by the food and beverage industry. This
situation is also observed clearly when speaking of non-tea vegetable infusions such
as yerba mate, a peculiar product which many aspects should be discussed for.
1.3 Ilex Paraguariensis, a Peculiar Plant, and Yerba Mate
1.3.1 Biodiversity in South America. I. Paraguariensis
and Localisations
As above mentioned, I. paraguariensis is diffused in South America, and widely
present in four Countries of this area: Argentina (Norte region), Uruguay, Paraguay,