Drinks and dosing systems: the example of Yerba Mate

How a spout can become the ideal dosing solution for a much-loved drink

Yerba Mate is second only to water in South America when it comes to the continent's most popular drink, with people affectionately calling it simply Mate. Mate tea is so popular you can come across a myriad of different names for it, including: Erva Mate, Cimarrón or Chimarrao, Green Mate, Hervea, Ilex, Tè del gesuita, Maté Folium, Tè del Paraguay, Tè di San Bartolomeo, Congonha, Caá Gua Zú and many more. In Argentina and Uruguay it’s as popular as tea at teatime in other countries around the world: this drink is much loved by all, and has become an element of popular culture.

This famous plant contains many beneficial vitamins, amino acids, minerals and antioxidants. It’s probably so popular though, with so many people drinking it, because of the high concentrations of xanthines, alkaloids such as caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, the same stimulants found in tea, coffee and chocolate. It’s important to keep these properties intact, protect the product from damp, and close the packet again properly after it’s been used.

Mate cartons, boxes or bags currently used aren’t very practical. Most have an aluminium bag, which is difficult to close again and the product is problematic to pour without spilling it.

Manufacturers are well aware of these problems and are considering the possibility of using
cartons with Pac Spouts to guarantee their yerba mate will be kept in perfect conditions.
One alternative that’s just as valid to maintain the organoleptic qualities of mate intact and protect it from damp is to use an aluminium bag bonded into a box. In this way the popular drink will remain perfectly fresh and also be easier to use at any time of day.

If you want to find out more about our dosing solutions for food products, you’ll find more in-depth information in the section “For the food sector”.