Another 5 star review! What makes for a 5 star spot? Well, as a visiting tourist I was looking for places and businesses that would help me understand the people and the culture of Brazil. Specifically in Paraná and the cities within the state. As we toured around Curitiba and Morretes we made friends with lots of locals and asked for lots of advice about what to see and do. One such friend was always, always seen with a mate gourd and thermos in his hands. Whether it was 6am or 6pm he was always toting around his daily cup of tea. Intrigued by this habit our group asking him more about it and he insisted on taking us to Casa do Chimarrão. Having been to Argentina I'm quite familiar with people's propensity to drink a lot of mate, but in Brazil it's done a little differently. The tea itself is less bitter and some people here drink it cold and not hot. To get the Brazilian take on mate this store was perfect for a visit. Maybe 800 st ft, this tiny cramped store is stacked up 15 ft to the brim with mate tea supplies. Natural carved and painted gourds, handmade gourds, plastic, leather, and even animal horn cups! There are no fewer than 1,000 different vessels here for sale and they come in all types of sizes and shapes. Of course in addition to that there are a few glass cases displaying filters and straws of all lengths and decoration types, and a few big shelves of different loose leaf mate tea brands. We got the lowdown on the most popular hot and cold brands and our purchase of the tea set came with a lid to help pack the tea tight in the gourd. In Brazil this is a necessary tool but not something I ever saw in Argentina where the tea is not ground as thing/powdery and can be pressed by hand. Oh! And though I didn't opt in, you can buy a variety of dozens of thermoses and leather carrying cases as well. All unique and hand carved. This is basically the best possible souvenir store for anyone you know who is a tea drinker or a fan of local customs/artifacts. Very very happy to have come here. They take credit cards, too! read more

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