Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Through the Brazilian Wilderness. 1914.

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A ration arrangement such as I used on my sledge trips North would have contained more nutritious elements in a smaller space. We could have done without many of the luxuries. But the exploration of the Dúvida had not been contemplated and had no place in the itinerary mapped out in New York. The change of plan and the decision to explore the Dúvida River came about in Rio Janeiro, long after our rations had been made out and shipped.

“Matté” the tea of Brazil and Paraguay, used in most of the states of South America, should not be forgotten. It is a valuable beverage. With it a native can do a wonderful amount of work on little food. Upon the tired traveller it has a very refreshing effect.

Doctor Peckolt, celebrated chemist of Rio de Janeiro, has compared the analysis of matté with those of green tea, black tea, and coffee and obtained the following result:

IN 1,000 PARTS OF	GREEN TEA	BLACK TEA	COFFEE	MATTÉ
Natural oil	7.90	0.06	0.41	0.01
Chlorophyl	22.20	18.14	13.66	62.00
Resin	22.20	34.40	13.66	20.69
Tannin	178.09	128.80	16.39	12.28
Alkaloids: Mateina Coffeina	4.50	4.30	2.66	2.50
Extractive substances	464.00	390.00	270.67	238.83
Cellulose and fibres	175.80	283.20	178.83	180.00
Ashes	85.60	25.61	25.61	38.11

Manner of preparation: The matté tea is prepared in the same manner as the Indian tea, that is to say, by pouring upon it boiling water during ten to fifteen minutes before using. To obtain a good infusion five spoonfuls of matté are sufficient for a litre of water.

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