Terere

Vocabulary:

Guampa = cup made for drinking Terere.

Yuyos = medicine put in the water

Yerba = herb that you pour into the guampa to have the flavor of your Terere.

Bombia = the straw with a small filter at the bottom that you drink the Terere with.

So I do not think I have done my job of keeping you all accurately informed about Paraguay. Because I have not given the complete run down of Terere. Yes I have mentioned it but I feel like you all think it is like drinking soda or something not the drasticness of how it is almost a new religion down here. Which I completely understand considering it is averaging about 48C (116F) about everyday here lately. It is a necessary thing to have at almost all times; which basically everyone does.

                Whether you are taking the bus, walking to work or driving in your car about 99% you have your Terere thermo with loaded with ice and herbs (if it’s in the afternoon) and your pouring your water into the guampa. There are actually signs in the busses that say no drinking Terere but it is never followed. Also, you are not allowed to drive and drink Terere many people get pulled over for this. That is why many times I am forced to go somewhere with people so I can be in the passenger seat and pour.

                What Terere consists of is yerba that is pretty much the sum of it. Then you have your thermo which you fill with ice, which almost everyone in Paraguay sells so never an issue to get it, also yuyos. The yuyos is other types of plants that you put into the water in the thermo or pitcher of water. The yuyos,  though not always medicine, can either be a heath aspect or to add flavor. I personally use mint and burrito plants. They add a sweeter taste. My friend Rebecka adds orange peels, lemon peels or even cinnamon sometimes to change it up which is also really tasty. There are many venders on the street that sell yuyo for the water. They mush it up in a big wood thing to release all of its juices. 

                I personally just invested into the Terere industry down here and purchased my own Thermo. My friend Elien, from Belgium, found a vender that makes and sells thermos at a low price but high quality. My thermo is made from real leather and cow Hyde, it is very pretty. I bought it for 200 thousand Guarani which is about $40 probably more because the dollar value has dropped, sadly. But, I was very excited to buy it because normally a thermo the same as I bought is about $100 or more according to everyone that saw it so it was a very good buy. Also, I feel like I fit in more with Paraguay having my own thermo.

This is a picture of the yerba asile in the super markets (did not take this photo) but in all places it looks the same tons of  yerba different flavors and brands.

First you mush up your herbs or yuyos in this once it is all mused add to the ice water.  photo props to google

Then you put your yerba in the Guampa then put the Bombia into place . You then pour your water on the yerba and for the first time let it settle and let the air bubbles come out. Keep pouring until it is all filled then drink the whole guampa of water. Pour again and pass around to the circle. Each person MUST drink the whole cup of terere otherwise...well you just drink it all. photo props to google

This is my new Thermo! I am going to get my name on it this week :) Also, all thermos have a little holder for the guampa as you can see on the left side of the thermo so that you can carry it all with one hand. There is also a strap to put the thermo on your arm when you walk and a hadle to pour it with.