Spaghetti Western Info

Signed Inscribed

Mmmm Maté! A Closer Look at South America's Green Infusion

In my two years experience at Maya Tea, I have become very familiar with the Frequently Asked Questions of the tea industry.  Most, such as brewing techniques, health benefits, and origins, require a semi-automated response, but the most common of all questions is answered differently by each individual.  “What is your favorite?â€

I preface my response with a warning.  My tastes often differ from those of the general public- I prefer strong, bold, natural flavors, and tend to stay away from fruity or sweet notes.   My tea tastes closely resemble my beer tastes, and I enjoy both ends of the spectrum of natural flavors - the sharp and bitter and the thick and toasty.  In beer, this means Stone IPA and Guinness Draught, and in tea this means Yerba Maté and Puer.

Today I want to talk about Yerba Maté.  Its moment of glory is well deserved.

Let me again emphasize this word of caution - this infusion is not for the faint of heart!  Those of you who habitually drink vanilla and apricot teas may find yourselves shocked at first sip, its flavor is unique - strong and grassy, equally sweet and bitter - and the effect of this tisane is even more profound.

I’ll begin at the beginning, in my tale it is crucial.  My first sip of maté was my first real introduction to tea, and set me on the tea-trodden trail where I find myself today.  That first sip was taken in a small plant-filled shop with a discreet sign inscribed “Buzz’s Yerba Mate Barâ€.  It was taken through a small metal straw, called a bombilla, which filtered the loose leaves within the cup from the liquid I consumed.  It carried a hint of lavender, as the shop owner enjoyed adding a touch of other flavors to compliment his drinks.  That first sip knocked my socks off.

Traditionally, maté is drunk from a hollowed gourd.  Loose maté leaves sit within the gourd and the drinker repeatedly pours hot water over the leaves, drinking through the bombilla, until the leaves lose their flavor or the drinker runs out of hot water, whichever happens first.  This is how I was served maté in Buzz’s Maté Bar, and it is a good thing because had I not continued to drink from the gourd over the following hour I may have never found my true love for it.  That first sip is intense.  My lips puckered into that infamous sour expression, but I carried on and soon discovered that the true joy in maté is not in the taste (though that dramatic flavor grows on you, I promise) but in the elevating effect that it has on your spirits.  Its high caffeine content increases your energy, and the array of other xanthenes provide you with an overwhelming sense of well-being.  Maté makes you… happy.  Plain and simple.  And even more pleasurable is the time that it takes for you to consume it.  Most of us don’t take time out for “tea time†anymore; our mugs sit by our side as we continue at other tasks- tea is secondary to life.  Maté forced me to settle in for the long haul, to enjoy my companions and surroundings and, well, myself.

That was the start of it all.  I frequented the Maté Bar until its close (let’s face it- a shop that sells solely maté has a meek chance at survival) and afterwards began searching for other enticing beverages, a search which proved very fruitful and, three years later, landed me on the doorstep of Maya Tea looking for a job.  During my interview the owner, Manish, asked me why I wanted to work in the tea industry, and as I gushed about my love for the drink I confessed to him which of all was my absolute favorite.  He responded with a scowl.  “That grassy stuff?!?†he exclaimed, and shook his head.  In fact, not a soul at the tea company shared in my enjoyment of the drink.  I was dubbed the Maté Girl, and every morning I brewed myself a strong cup to kick-start my day while my coworkers giggled in the background, slowly sipping their darjeelings and senchas.

Ha.  I’ve got the last laugh.  Fast forward two years, and I am proud to say that I have made a convert out of each and every one of them.  Now, whenever we go on the road to tradeshows and the like we pack ourselves with an excess of Maté to help us through our shifts.  We drink it on the road, in the office, and in our homes.  I like to consider myself a pusher of the herb, scouring the earth for those who have not yet found their love for maté and, well, showing them the light.

And now, it is your turn.  Try it - I dare you.

About the Author

Sarah Price was born and raised in the Sonoran Desert in Tucson, Arizona. She has worked as a member of the Maya Tea Company for three years, and enjoys incorporating flavors from the desert into the tea company's signature blends. For more information about Maya Tea Company or for a list of available tea blends, go to http://www.mayatea.com . For more information about Tucson's local products, visit http://www.farmersmarkettucson.com .

18k Gold/ Sterling Silver Peace Sign Earrings $15.49 Bring tranquility and inspiration into your day wearing a chic peace sign earringsJewelry is crafted of lustrous 18-karat gold over sterling silver Earrings are inscribed with the word 'Peace'

Mark Buehrle 16x20 Autographed Photograph $93.99 Mark Buehrle has hand-signed this 16x20 photograph Sports memorabilia includes a Steiner Sports Certificate of Authenticity Football collectible of Mark Buehrle is a must-have

Joel Zumaya MLB Baseball with 103 MPH Inscription $58.99 This MLB baseball was hand-signed by Joel Zumaya, who added the inscription '103 MPH'. The collectible makes a great gift for any baseball fan.

Steiner Sports Autographed Don Larsen PG Inscription MLB Baseball $117.99 This Steiner Sports autographed Don Larsen Major League baseball features a hand signed autograph from Larsen with his Perfect Game inscription. This comes on an official Major League Baseball.

Sam Huff 'Sack vs. Steelers' Autographed 8x10 Photograph $46.99 Collectible celebrates Hall of Famer Sam HuffFootball photograph features Huff recording a sack against the Pittsburgh SteelersSports memorabilia is hand-signed with the inscription 'HOF 1982'

Carolina Clay (Hardcover) $18.65 Traces the story of a slave known only as Dave, formerly owned by the author`s ancestors, who became a singular pottery artist of the nineteenth century, in an account that describes Dave`s bold decision to reveal his literacy by signing and inscribing...

Willie Randolph Hand-signed MLB Baseball with 'Lets Go Mets' Inscription $65.99 Willie Randolph spent 13 years with the New York Yankees and won the World Series in 1977 and 1978 as a member of the Bombers. Willie is currently the NY Mets Manager and led them to an 83-79 record in 2005, their first winning record since 2001.

Steiner Sports Autographed Jon Lester MLB Baseball w/ 'NH 5-19-08' Inscription $122.99 This Steiner Sports autographed Jon Lester photograph features a hand signed autograph from Lester. This comes signed on an official Major League baseball.

Steiner Sports Autographed Andrew Bailey MLB Baseball w/ 'ROY' Inscription $48.99 This Steiner Sports autographed Andrew Bailey baseball comes hand signed by Bailey. This comes signed on an official Major League baseball.

Steiner Sports Autographed Fred Lynn MLB Baseball w/ '75 MVP & ROY' Inscription $55.99 This Steiner Sports autographed Fred Lynn baseball features a hand signed autograph from Lynn. This comes signed on an official Major League baseball.

Ozzie Smith Autographed MLB Baseball Inscribed (MLB Authenticated) $167.69 Autographed MLB Baseball signed by Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals inscribed Wizard of Oz.

Inscribed Bodies $139.93 Buy and sell [Inscribed Bodies] at great prices.

Warmly Inscribed $7.39 Buy and sell [Warmly Inscribed] at great prices.

Art Inscribed $15.82 Buy and sell [Art Inscribed] at great prices.

Inscribed Landscapes $42.44 Buy and sell [Inscribed Landscapes] at great prices.

Ryne Sandberg Autographed 8 x 10 Photograph Inscribed with HOF 05 $133.33 Ryne Sandberg, Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame Second Baseman. Career Highlights: '84 NL MVP, 9 Gold Gloves, 10-Time All-Star. This 8 x 10 photo has been personally hand signed by Ryne Sandberg and inscribed with HOF 05. Authenticity is Guaranteed: Includes the MLB Authentication hologram and the TRISTAR Authentic numbered hologram.

Ode, Inscribed to John Howard $9.41 Ode, Inscribed to John Howard

Jorge Posada Signed 2009 Inaugural Season Jersey Inscribed &quot1st HR in New Stadium 4-16-09&quot Limited Edition of 20 $779.99 This Majestic Authentic 2009 Yankee Stadium Inaugural Season Yankees Home #20 jersey showcases a perfect hand signature from Yankees Legend- Jorge Posada. Posada used a silver paint pen to hand sign the back of this jersey on the number "2"- and to inscribe "1st HR New Stadium" at the top of the "0" as well as inscribing the date in which he achieve this "4-16-09" inscribed on the bottom of the "0". This jersey is the EXACT same quality- and make that Jorge will be wearing this year in the New Yankee Stadium- and has the 2009 Yankee Stadium Patch on the left sleeve. This jersey is a limited edition of only 20. This jersey is flawless- and is in 100% perfect condition This item is accompanied by (2) Certificate's of Authenticity(COA) from (1) from Steier Sports Marketing- and (1) from MVP Marketing & Management- LLC featuring a picture of Posada on the COA.

Koji Uehara Autographed MLB Baseball Inscribed - MLB Authenticated $159.68 Autographed MLB Koji Uehara MLB baseball of the Baltimore Orioles pitcher inscribed O's, 1-14-09 the day that he was signed . Koji was an 8 time all star in Japan MLB Authentication This item comes with the MLB Authentication hologram. The Major League Baseball Authentication Program has set the standard for sports memorabilia authentication. Major League Baseball is the first and only professional sports league to implement a program that easily distinguishes authenticated autographs and game-used memorabilia from other items on the market. This program - which combines the services of a third-party authenticator with a state-of-the-art hologram, a serial numbering system and an online verification process - guarantees the authenticity of its autographed and game-used items. Autographed MLB and game-used items in the MLB Authentication Program are currently authenticated by individuals specifically trained to authenticate autograph signings and the removal of items that they personally witness as used in game. Items and their unique identification numbers are processed and posted on MLB.com, the program's official site, for easy reference by consumers. Once witnessed, every authenticated item is affixed with a tamperproof hologram created by OpSec, U.S. to identify its authenticity. To look up your item simply go to http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/authentication/ to verify your item.

Inscribed Across The Landscape $16.71 Buy and sell [Inscribed Across The Landscape] at great prices.

Cincinnati Reds - Big Red Machine - Autographed Cynergy Field Seat Back Signed and Inscribed by Joe Morgan- Johnny Bench- Tony Perez and Pete Rose $679.99 This authentic Riverfront (1970-2003) Stadium seat back has been personally hand signed by the Big Red Machine- which consisted of: Joe Morgan "HOF 90"- Johnny Bench "HOF 89"- Tony Perez "HOF 2000"- and Pete Rose "Best Team Ever 4256." This collectible also comes with a descriptive plate in the middle of the seat. This product is officially licensed by Major League Baseball and comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident hologram from Mounted Memories. To ensure authenticity- the hologram can be reviewed online. This process helps to ensure that the product purchased is authentic and eliminates any possibility of duplication or fraud. *Seat may be signed in black or silver*

Incarnate Word, Inscribed Flesh $49.05 Buy and sell [Incarnate Word, Inscribed Flesh] at great prices.

General A Poem Respectfully Inscribed To $7.62 Buy and sell [General A Poem Respectfully Inscribed To] at great prices.

Scarabs Inscribed Gems&engr Cb $90.95 Buy and sell [Scarabs Inscribed Gems&engr Cb] at great prices.

49 To 94 Respectfully Inscribed To The N $7.72 Buy and sell [49 To 94 Respectfully Inscribed To The N] at great prices.

Inscribed Bamboo And Wooden Strips And Tablets $63.95 Buy and sell [Inscribed Bamboo And Wooden Strips And Tablets] at great prices.

Wade Boggs Signed Baseball with HOF 5 Inscription $189.99 Former Red Sox and Yankees superstar Wade Boggs is a member of Baseball's 3000 hit club and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004. This official major league baseball is hand signed by Wade Boggs and is inscribed "HOF 05". This product is officially licensed and authenticated by Major League Baseball and comes with an individually numbered; tamper evident hologram from Mounted Memories To ensure authenticity- the hologram can be reviewed online. This process helps to ensure that the product purchased is authentic and eliminates any possibility of duplication or fraud.

Bleinheim: A Poem Inscribed to Robert Harley (1705) $10.18 Bleinheim: A Poem Inscribed to Robert Harley (1705)

The Rest of Don Juan: Inscribed to the Shade of Byron $10.69 The Rest of Don Juan: Inscribed to the Shade of Byron

Pride: A Poem. Inscribed to John Wilkes, Esquire. by an Englishman. $10.27 Pride: A Poem. Inscribed to John Wilkes, Esquire. by an Englishman.

The Budget. Inscribed to the Man Who Thinks Himself Minister. $10.27 The Budget. Inscribed to the Man Who Thinks Himself Minister.

The Trifler. a Satire, Inscribed to Lord - By George Caswall. $9.62 The Trifler. a Satire, Inscribed to Lord - By George Caswall.

Stone Henge. a Poem Inscribed to Edward Jerningham, Esq. $10.05 Stone Henge. a Poem Inscribed to Edward Jerningham, Esq.

Tristar Hidden Treasures Autographed Baseballs Series 4 Box Break SOLID