» What is the meaning of the name Taragüi?
Taragüi is a Guarani word that means Corrientes, the name of the province in which our business is located.

» Why does the package of yerba contain powder?
The yerba powder is carefully processed and measured especially because it is a fundamental component to achieve a balanced flavor. Many consumers view it as something undesirable, but it is actually indispensable to obtain rich, frothy, lasting mates. Normally, the powder settles at the bottom of the package; therefore, it is important to follow these steps to prevent the bombilla (sipping tube) from clogging:
- Fill 3/4 of the gourd with yerba.
- Cover the mouth of the gourd with the palm of your hand, tilt it and shake softly. This way the thickly ground leaves and stems will go to the bottom and the fine leaves and powder at the top, thus preventing the bombilla from clogging.

» Do wrapped and unwrapped bagged tea have the same quality ?
Bagged Taragüi Tea, wrapped and unwrapped, has exactly the same quality: both come from Las María's plantations and go through the same on-site processing facility. The only difference is in the packaging. The extra wrappers protect the tea from dampness and odors that might contaminate it and preserve it for longer periods. If you keep it in a cool, dry place and use it in a relatively short time, there should be no contamination. However, if you are going to store it in a damp place or for a long time, it is recommendable to buy it in boxes of 10 or 75 teabags, individually wrapped in paper wrappers.

» What does the expiration date of Las Marías products mean?
The expiration dates of our products can be found on their packages. Las Marías guarantees the freshness of the product until that date. We don't recommend the use of our products past that time since they may have lost their properties and overall quality.

» How do I cure a mate gourd?
A well-cured mate gourd is a must if you want to enjoy a good mate. If you have a new gourd, fill it with mate leaves, thoroughly soaking them. Allow it to rest for two days, keeping the yerba always wet.

When the two days are up, clean the gourd, scraping inside to get rid of any soft wood. Repeat the entire procedure at least three times, making sure that the leaves do not ferment in the process, giving the gourd an unwanted flavor. If you don't have a good gourd, it is better to use a glass or plastic container such as that of Mate Listo, because these materials won't transmit any undesirable flavor to the yerba.

» How do you pour and serve a good mate?
Knowing how to start a mate properly is the key to a pleasant, lasting flavor. An excellent yerba can be ruined by a bad start, turning bitter, aggressive and short lived. For a good start, use a well cured, medium-sized gourd, with a 1.5 to 2 oz . capacity, and filling only ¾ of it. Cover the mouth of the gourd with the palm of your hand, turn it upside down and shake it vigorously so that the thicker components will go to the bottom of the gourd and the thin ones on top. Turn it to its normal position, carefully keeping the yerba to one side of the gourd so that it leaves a dip on the other. Pour cold or warm water in this cavity; never use hot water at this stage. Wait some thirty seconds for the yerba to moisten, repeat the operation and then insert the sipping tube into the moistened part. When the time comes to enjoy a mate, it must be served slowly, and the water temperature should not go higher than 176º F. Pour the water near the sipping tube at the beginning, and then advance towards the center. Never rush the serving; it is better to wait some time between one mate and another.

» How do you prepare tereré?
This drink is an ideal thirst quencher on very hot days. It is prepared by pouring ice water or any other refreshing drink onto the mate leaves. To prepare this drink, it is better to replace your gourd with a glass, plastic or aluminum tumbler. Pour the yerba into the container, shake it the traditional way and insert the sipping tube, always moistening the mate leaves before putting in the bombilla . Prepare some lemonade, orange or grapefruit juice, or simply ice water; serve and enjoy.

» What is the correct way to prepare good tea with Taragüi loose tea?
The best way to prepare tea, according to the oldest traditions, is the following:
- Boil some fresh water.
- Warm the teapot with some boiling water.
- Place one teaspoon of tea ( 0.07 oz . - 2 grams ) in the teapot for each cup of tea you will serve, adding one more teaspoon for the teapot, which has been previously warmed.
- Pour the water into the teapot as soon as it breaks into a boil, without letting it boil on.
- Allow to rest for five minutes and serve.

» What is the correct way to prepare good tea with Taragüi teabags?
- Place the teabag in a cup or teapot.
- Heat water till it breaks into a boil (it should not be over boiled) and pour it over the teabag.
- Allow to rest for 3 minutes.

» How do you prepare iced tea?
To prepare one quart of authentic iced tea, we recommend you follow these instructions:
- Heat water till it breaks into a boil (not over boiled).
- Place 10 teabags in a teapot and pour the water over them; allow to rest for three minutes.
- Take the teabags out and add sugar to taste.
- Place the tea in a pitcher with ice, serve and add lemon juice in each glass. You will now have a wonderfully refreshing drink, with the genuine flavor of Taragüi tea.

» Can people with diabetes drink mate and tea?
All our products may be used by people with diabetes

» Can people with celiac disease drink mate and tea?
All our products may be used by people with celiac disease, since no flour is used either during processing or during packaging. .

» Do mate and tea have caffeine?
Both yerba mate and tea have a low percentage of caffeine: Yerba: 1.76 oz . served with 2 cups of water yields 0.017 oz . of caffeine; tea: one cup prepared with a 0.07 oz . teabag and 0.85 oz . of water yields 0.0015 oz . of caffeine. However, these figures vary, since these are natural products. In the case of yerba mate, the average caffeine content is about 0.018, but it can reach 0.03. On the other hand, tea has an average value of 0.00088 - 0.0010, reaching a maximum of 0.0015.

» What are the properties of yerba mate?
• Source of Vitamins
It has B-complex vitamins, which help the body take advantage of the energy contained in foods. These vitamins improve muscular function and help keep body, skin and hair hetitlehy.
Source of Minerals
It contains potassium, essential for the correct functioning of the heart. It contains magnesium, which helps in protein incorporation and in keeping a strong , hetitlehy body.
• A Powerful Antioxidant
Mate is a hetitlehy drink that contains polyphenols, which act as antioxidants. The infusion of yerba mate has proved to be a more powerful antioxidant than ascorbic acid (vitamin C), with properties similar to those of red wine in its role of strong antioxidant and inhibitor of the oxidation of low density lipoproteins.
Antioxidants stop cell ageing:
These compounds increase the body's natural defenses as they prevent the daily cell attacks that cause its deterioration. They prevent the growth of cancer cells: as they fight cell ageing, antioxidants also help prevent certain types of cancer. They diminish the risk of cardiovascular diseases: antioxidants prevent coronary and cerebro-vascular disease by preventing arteriosclerosis.
• Energizing Effect:
Thanks to the xantines it contains, the yerba mate infusion is a natural source of energy that stimulates physical and intellectual efforts. Xantines (caffeine, theobromine) stimulate the central nervous system (CNS). This stimulation translates into energy surplus for intellectual and muscular efforts; making it ideal for people who practice sports and other physical and mental activities.
• Antihypercholesterolemic Action
Due to their Antihypercholesterolemic action, saponines present in the yerba mate infusion reduce the amount of low density lipoproteins in blood. Thanks to the interaction of these compounds with cholesterol and bile acids, mixed miscelles are formed that cause the elimination of cholesterol as they make it difficult to absorb through the gastrointestinal tract.

» What are the properties of black tea?
It inhibits cholesterol absorption:
Consuming black tea may lower the blood levels of bad cholesterol (LDL)
It inhibits the accumulation of sugar in blood:
It helps lower the glucose level in the blood.
It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases:
Daily intake of black tea helps prevent coronary disorders.
It helps increase the body's defenses:
Black tea is a powerful immunological agent; its chemical components act upon a number of viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, thus increasing the body's defenses against infections. Research was done on individuals who drank 5 cups of black tea a day during 4 weeks.
Antioxidant Power:
The presence of flavonoids, compounds with antioxidant characteristics, makes black tea an excellent vehicle to prevent cell ageing, the risk of contracting certain types of cancer and heart attacks, the latter up to 44%.
Other properties:
Black tea could help prevent osteoporosis, bone fractures and certain allergic symptoms.

» What are the properties of green tea?
It stops cell ageing:
Due to its high concentration of polyphenols (catechins), green tea has a high antioxidant power that stops ageing through reduction of cell oxidation.
Anti-carcinogenic:
Due to its antioxidant effect, it also prevents the growth of cancer cells, thus decreasing mutagenic and genotoxic processes that may transform cells and cause tumors.
It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases:
It helps prevent coronary disorders.
It inhibits cholesterol absorption:
It helps lower the levels of bad cholesterol in blood.
It efficiently fights bacteria:
It prevents cavities by inhibiting the growth of bacterial plaque and bad breath.
It helps reduce fats:
It reduces the absorption of cholesterol present in your diet and the reabsorption of bile acids. It also stimulates thermogenesis.
It inhibits high blood pressure.
Its polyphenols block the action of the enzyme involved in the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, responsible for the increase of arterial blood pressure.
It inhibits the accumulation of sugar in the blood:
It helps lower the glucose level in blood.
It inhibits platelet aggregation:
It acts as an anti-thrombotic, promoting a procoagulant condition.

» What are the properties of herbs?
BOLDO:
It is made with the leaves of Peumus boldus Molina , a shrub that grows exclusively in the south of Chile . Its active ingredient is widely recognized in several Pharmacopoeias, and its essence is used as a main component of medicinal formulae and liqueur recipes worldwide. It has recognized digestive properties and provides powerful protection for the liver.
CEDRON:
It is processed from the dried and crushed leaves and stems of Lippia citriodora Kunth or Aloysia triphylla , of the verbenaceae family. It is grown extensively in the Argentine territory. It has a characteristic aroma, reminiscent of lemon. There are monographs about it in the Pharmacopoeias of several European countries; it is also widely used as a food both in the Americas and in Europe . It is digestive, antispasmodic and slightly diuretic. It also acts as a mild sedative, and popular medicine attributes cardio tonic properties to it.
CHAMOMILE:
It is made with the crushed inflorescences of Chamomilla recutita or Matricaria chamomilla , one of the most traditional plants of the European flora. It was known and used by the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures is beverages, perfumes and infusions. It is an effective digestive, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic. It also has sedative effects. On the other hand, it inhibits gastric secretion and has antioxidant properties.
PEPPERMINT:
This product is made from the dried leaves and stems of Mentha piperita L ., also known as English or Mitcham Mint. It has innumerable applications; it is an effective antispasmodic and digestive tonic. It also has antioxidant action and is mildly sedative.
POLEO:
Lippia turbinata Gris is a widespread herb in Argentina in the area of the sierras of Córdoba and San Luis. Its dried leaves are used in infusions, as an ingredient in beverages and as a condiment. It is popularly attributed digestive and diuretic properties. LINDEN : The uses and virtues of the inflorescences of Tilia cordata Mill are well known all over the world. Its mild infusions, which relieve the feeling of stress, are ideal before a restful sleep. It is also a digestive and spasmolitic. Its sedative, anti-stress effect has been laboratory tested. LEMON
BALM:
The leaves, stems and sometimes the inflorescences, of Melissa officinalis L. , a plant of widespread distribution in the center, west and south of Europe , are highly appreciated because of its lemony aroma and its melliferous character. It has been used since medieval times to relieve tiredness and stress. Considered to be the best complement of a restful sleep due to its sedative, slightly somniferous properties. It also has digestive and antispasmodic properties.
DIGESTIVE HERBAL MIX:
Boldo, chamomile , peppermint, cedron and carqueja form a powerful blend. Together, these herbs synergize all their digestive action, offering the most refreshing feeling of well-being.
ENSUEÑOS:
A relaxing blend of lemon balm, peppermint, chamomile, linden and cedron.

» How do I obtain information regarding visits to Las Marías?
The Establecimiento has a Public Relations Department that greets thousands of tourists a year. Private visits are welcome Mondays through Saturdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Delegations are welcome Mondays through Fridays from 8 to 10 a .m. and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Please make reservations in advance by calling +54-3756-493000

» Where can I send a Currículum Vitae?
CVs are received at our Human Relations Department at recursoshumanos@lasmarias.com.ar They can also be mailed to our offices in Buenos Aires, Irala 2021 Cap. Fed. CP (1164).

» How can I make a purchase?
The catalog published in the Shop section of this site provides information on all the products for sale, their price and description. For more information, call 0-800-333-0513, Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.