Rota da Erva-Mate: discover the charms, surprises and delights in Santa Catarina

The Herba Mate Route, in Santa Catarina, reveals that the tradition of chimarrão is only the beginning of a journey full of discoveries. Between recipes that lead to the plant, stories preserved by families and lodgings in the middle of nature, the itinerary connects Canoinhas, Três Barras and Bela Vista do Toldo, in the North Plateau of Santa Catarina.

The Portal BnT Online accompanied an organized trip through Abrajet-PR — Brazilian Association of Tourism Journalists, section Paraná — to know the ventures and experiences that make up the route.

During the course, the report found hosts who transformed knowledge about yerba mate into activities for visitors. The proposal allows to follow stages of production, taste flavors and understand how the plant participates in the history and income of families of the region.

Watch the full report here:

 

From chimarrão wheels to experience tourism

The conversation around it helps explain the origin of the initiative. In the reports presented to the report, the chimarrão appears as a habit transmitted between generations and as a moment of encounter: it is when families talk, share ideas and solve problems.

This coexistence inspired the creation of a script that presents different aspects of grass culture. The visitor can know from the planting and harvesting to the sapeco and the benefiting of the leaves.

Along the Herba-Mate Route, the contact with the producers brings the tourist closer to practices that remain present in the daily life of the properties.

Casa da Vó Quina combines hospitality, history and flavors

In Três Barras, Casa da Vó Quina brings together accommodation, regional memory and experiences linked to the native yerba mate. The family reception is part of the tour, which includes conversations about the local culture and the property’s relationship with the herbalists.

In addition to chimarrão, the visitor finds preparations such as yerba mate cake. Recipes show how a traditional ingredient can gain space in other forms of consumption.

The Recanto do Vô Sílvio, where the team stayed, was also part of the experience. The atmosphere brought to the report the memory of a grandparents’ house, with tranquility and hospitality.

Colonial coffee shows that yerba mate goes beyond cuia

One of the surprises of the trip is on the table of the Candy and Fricotes, in Canoinhas. The development features a colonial coffee that incorporates yerba mate to sweet and savory recipes.

Among the preparations shown to the report are rustic bread, buttery cookies, brigadeiro, mousse and chocolate truffles with yerba mate. A cake combines the plant in the dough with orange filling, bringing the recipe closer to the custom of taking chimarrão with the fruit peel.

Creativity also appears in salty dishes. The dough of the cushion stuffed with chicken carries yerba mate, as does the pancake to the bolognese.

The buffet also brings together recipes associated with the different cultural traditions present in the region, including German pie, raw quibe, Syrian bread and the traditional house waffle.

The history of the enterprise began with the family’s desire to create a coffee space. Today, the full table allows the visitor to know the regional gastronomy and discover new uses for yerba mate.

Visit to the production brings the tourist closer to who works with the plant

The passage through Erva-Mate Canoinhas presents the production process and broadens the understanding about the ingredient that reaches the cuia.

More than observing the manufacturing stages, the experience allows you to talk with people who live daily with yerba mate and understand its cultural and economic importance.

Another stop is the Ervateira Ouro Verde, which produces grass, destined for a company that operates with export. During the visit, the head of the venture reported that the product reaches markets such as Uruguay, Argentina, China and Estados Unidos.

The reports show that the plant also represents labor and income, connecting regional production to consumers from other countries.

Cabins with hydromassage invite to slow down

In Canoinhas, Sítio Esmeralda offers an experience focused on rest and contact with nature. The space brings together lodging in huts, sports fishing and a lounge with restaurant.

The cabins presented to the report have a fireplace, hot tub, full kitchen and barbecue. Water heating is gas.

The proposal is to allow the visitor to take time to rest, breathe and enjoy the rural environment, complementing the cultural and gastronomic activities of the route.

Rancho do Barbaquá preserves family stories

At the Rancho do Barbaquá, the artisanal production of yerba mate blends with the memories of the ancestors.

During the visit, the hosts told stories about the arrival of relatives from Germany in 1901 and the transport of the grass to Joinville on horse-drawn reels. According to the report, the trip took approximately 30 days.

The continuity of production keeps this memory linked to the current activities of the property. The space also features handmade drinks with yerba mate, including cachaça and liquor.

Beer with yerba mate is one of the experiences of Farm Rio Bonito

In Bela Vista do Awning, Fazenda Rio Bonito adds another discovery to the script: craft beer flavored with yerba mate.

According to the owners, the drink was produced to complement the reception to tourists and is offered for tasting at the property.

The experience enhances the diversity of the route. Between the cuia, the dishes of the colonial coffee and the handmade drinks, the yerba mate gains different presentations without losing the connection with the regional culture.

How to know more about the Mate Grass Route

To know the attractions and plan the visit, the public can follow the Instagram @rotadaervamatesc.

Information and schedules are also available by WhatsApp (47) 9 8837 3380. The roadmap can be consulted on the association's website.

 

Editorial transparency: the Portal BnT Online accompanied the organized trip through Abrajet-PR. The expenses of participation were paid by the entrepreneurs who make up the Route of the Herba-Mate.

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