Paolistas, Soldiers of the East
Bank of the Plata.
These soldiers are represented at the door of a pulpería
at Monte Video. One of them is taking matté [...], the
leaf and fine shoots of a Paraguayan shrub, dried and coarsely
pulverized, from which a beverage is made by putting a small
quantity into a cup, and pouring hot water on it. [...] It is in use in every
house all day long, and the compliment of the country is to hand
the matté-cup to every visitor, the same cup and tube
serving for all.
(E. Essex Vidal, "Picturesque Illustrations of Buenos Ayres
and Monte Video etc.", London: R. Ackermann, 1820, p. 107) |