Green matte

Green matte is a semitropical tree of the holly family. Pushing wild in South American forests, this tree can be up to 20 metres high. It is found mainly in mountainous areas, between 500 and 1000 meters above sea level. Since gaining popularity, especially among healthy drinkers, green matte has been widely cultivated in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. However, growing trees rarely exceed 8 metres in height. The green matte is characterized by slightly dentate, persistent and hard oval leaves. It is these leaves that, once harvested, are dried and chopped in order to serve in the development of the famous beverage. The green matte also develops small clusters of white flowers and small fleshy fruits. Red at maturity, these fruits look like misguided with blackcurrant berries.