Christine Folch

Christine Folch, a cultural anthropology professor at Duke University, shares her insights on yerba mate, the beloved South American drink. She explores its rich history, tracing roots from Indigenous practices to its current global appeal. Folch highlights mate’s role in fostering community and spirituality, as well as its surprising connections to historical events and cultural phenomena, like the first written tango and puppet shows by Syrian dissidents. Additionally, she examines the challenges mate faces in gaining international recognition alongside other global commodities.