Hey, SGLand!
How is your week going on so far? Mine is great, wheater is amazing and my debut set NOW I'M READY GOES UP IN 3 DAYS !!
Since I have friends from all around the globe in here, i'd like for you to share something that its normal where you live but may sound or look strange for outsiders.
I live in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, south of Brazil and we drink a lot of Chimarrão, this weird thing with hot water :P
Its made with a herbal mix of Ilex paraguariensis. You don't drink from a glass, but from a Cuia, made with a special wood.
We inherit this from native south americans. You can find many variations on Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
When you have guests on your home you may offer them a hot bevereage (Sheldon Cooper calling), like coffe or tea,
If you visit a southern brazilian home you'll probally drink this.
Families get togheter to chat while drinking, friends go out to watch a sunset while socializing, we even take it to our jobs and schools.
Its not as formal as Chinese Tea ceremonies, but it has some 'rules'.
For exemple, the one responsible for making the chimarrão will drink the first. So he (or sh) can test the water temperature and bitterness (did i mention this? but you'll learn to like, as you did with all that beer you drink hahaha), its a way of showing that he cares about others waitig to drink.
Tradicionally, you sit on a circle, as our elders did in the past around bonfires. You always pass the chimarrão for the one sitting on your right, as a way to keep it organized.
This is something you appreciate amongst friend. You may invite to sit, or offer, to someone you don't know, but never an enemy or a person you are not fond of.
As you drink, the herb gets warmer and the 'tea' less bitter
I have my own preparing kit, since I drink almost daily.
It has many medicinal properties, like a tea. I mention by heart: caffeine, VitE, iron, potassium and calcium.
Now its your turn
@missy @sean @eirenne @lemon @mickey @jacqueline
