Paraguayan sommelier Jennifer Snaider has been announced as a jury member for the first World Yerba Mate Championship, an international technical competition dedicated to the plant native to the region. The event will be held from June 5 to 7 at the Mate Museum in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Snaider is recognized as Paraguay's first tea sommelier and has over eight years of experience in the world of infusions and yerba mate. She holds a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Foreign Trade and has specialized in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Japan, Taiwan, and the United States. She also works as a tea blender, consultant, and product developer, and has created brands and projects like Ñandeté, Blending Lab, and Emperatriz.
The official launch of the World Championship took place on April 20 at the Argentine Senate. "The fact that the Senate of the Nation hosts the presentation of the World Championship reflects the institutional recognition that yerba mate is achieving. These initiatives elevate the conversation and position yerba mate for the future," said Martín Gómez, director of the event.
The jury panel, expanded from 30 to 35 members, includes experts from nine countries. In addition to Snaider, professionals from Chile, Brazil, Russia, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Venezuela, the United States, and Europe are participating. "The expansion of the jury and the geographical diversity respond to the truly international character of the contest. We have experts from different backgrounds who will bring complementary technical perspectives," explained Marcos Francisca, head judge.
Over 200 yerba mate samples have been submitted, coming from Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, the United States, Canada, Chile, and Europe. All will be evaluated blind, following international protocols adapted from standards validated in wines and spirits. "The name disappears, only the product speaks," the organization highlighted.
The World Championship will also feature simultaneous events at sub-venues in Argentina and other countries. Nicolás Geiskko, responsible for the event's experiences, reported that requests from Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Guatemala, Canada, Uruguay, and Argentine locations such as Salta, Misiones, and Buenos Aires are being evaluated. "The World Championship is not just an event in Buenos Aires, it is a global movement," he said.