In September of this year, I embarked on an unforgettable journey with Guayakí Yerba Mate to learn about how their multi-pronged approach to ethical and environmentally-sound business practices.
When I got the opportunity to travel to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina with Guayakí to learn about their reforestation efforts, support of indigenous communities, and dedication to producing healthier mate, I jumped at the chance.
Yerba mate is a leafy green tree (Ilex paraguariensis) native to South America and is brewed into a caffeine-rich, tea-like beverage called mate. The practice of drinking mate originated in the Guaraní indigenous communities as a way to build community and connect with nature. But this tradition is now pervasive throughout South America as a cultural cornerstone for connection and friendship. Lately, the product has taken the Western beverage market by storm as a clean, energy-boosting alternative to coffee and tea.
I traveled alongside seven other inspiring media professionals and the Guayakí team to learn that their business promises were not only true but industry-leading. Guayakí embodies sustainable nutrition through its commitment to regenerative organic farming practices, close working relationships with indigenous peoples, and efforts to improve the nutrition of their final product.
Commitment to the Environment
We did a lot of traveling during this trip with many long car rides, giving us plenty of time to get a lay of the land. And I must say, I’ve never seen such large swaths of deforested, tilled, and mono-cultured land in my life. The scope of it bewildered me to no end and honestly filled me with a deep sadness. This is environmental collapse in action.
I’ve learned about the deforestation crisis in South America in relation to the Amazon rainforest, but didn’t realize how rampant the issue was across the entire continent. In fact, the continent accounts for nearly 50% of deforestation on the planet. This is due to extremely high demand for beef (both continent-wide and globally) as well as commodity crops.
South America is home to massive rainforests, at least one third of the continent is supposed to be made up of these landscapes. These rainforests are are critical carbon sinks for not only for the surrounding areas and the continent, but for the entire globe. And beyond that, they’re a key component to local water systems as plant respiration is a critical player in the water cycle. Often deforestation can lead to desertification or at the very least significant decline in soil health. When these vital ecosystems are destroyed, it’s a loss for all of us that isn’t easily or quickly replaced.
However, as a B corporation that produces regenerative organic certified mate, Guayakí is committed to not only helping to rebuild these forest landscapes across South America but also to omitting harmful pesticides and agricultural chemicals from their products that degrade soil health and fertility long-term.
Guayakí cultivates shade-grown yerba mate, which means their mate plants are grown under and among native canopies of trees. This lends to naturally regenerating forestland in previously deforested areas. Presently, 80% of Guayakí’s mate is shade-grown — but that other 20% is just as important as it allows them to continue to convert more and more land back to forest.
Cultural Appreciation
This trip revolved around visiting a variety of indigenous communities and small farms. While Guayakí sources their yerba mate from hundreds of producers, these native, small operations are some of their most cherished. We visited the Marrecas, Ache Kue Tuvy, and Ybytu Pora indigenous communities, among others.
As part of Fair Trade certification program, Guayakí is committed to paying these indigenous and small farmers fair wages that enable them to not only meet their needs but get ahead. It was beautiful to witness the close relationship these people had with the yerba mate plant and the regenerative practices they proudly take part in. These practices include controlled burns to maintain fertility, planting among already-established forest landscapes, and reintroducing native trees to their agricultural land.
These communities start yerba mate from seed, progressively planting them until young trees can be planted in the ground in either in farmed or forested areas.
Improved Nutrition
And finally, Guayakí is also producing a more nutritious yerba mate in a variety of ways.
Generally, any food or beverage products grown using organic and regenerative agriculture is going to be healthier. This is thanks to the exclusion of harmful synthetic pesticides and fertilizers as well the increased nutrient content regeneratively-grown food tends to have through improved soil and root structure health.
However, one of the most noteworthy nutritional improvements Guayakí has made to its product is how they process their mate. Yerba mate traditionally is dried over a fire through a smoking process. And while that process does enrich the final product with a unique depth of flavor, it also produces carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The quick-drying process Guayakí uses avoids creating PAHs, which results in a healthier final product.
Plus, yerba mate is rich in zinc, magnesium, vitamin C, and a range of plant compounds that support immune, bone, heart, metabolic, and brain health while also boosting physical performance.
Final Thoughts
This trip was eye opening in so many ways. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of the massive scale of the environmental problems prevalent across South America, but I was also able to bear witness to how ethical industry can actually make a positive difference. In my world, industry is often vilified for significantly contributing to the climate crisis. And while this is certainly the case in many instances, if you look closer at the massive global systems at play, the most meaningful change actually has to be done through these business entities.
Guayakí is so apparently committed to doing right by people and the planet through their multi-faceted approach to supporting reforestation and thriving indigenous communities. The products they sell are also super yummy and available nationwide at many grocery store chains.
While some of their options are higher in added sugar than I would generally recommend, they do sell unsweetened products and loose-leaf mate that can help you reap the benefits of mate without pro-inflammatory added sugar. They also sell gourds and bombillas (the unique straws you drink mate through) so you can cultivate an authentic mate drinking experience right in your own home.
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