Saponin Content and Quality-Related Traits of Mass-Selected Yerba Maté (Ilex paraguariensisA. St.-Hil.) Trees

Since 1998, new mate trees were identified in five plantations in Misiones, Argentina, through mass selection. Emphasis was put on capturing genes related to caffeine, theobromine, saponin, twig color, anthocyanin, waxiness, leaf chlorophyll, and leaf thickness, characteristics that influence mate leaf quality in the drinking vessel or in the bombilla. Subsequently, saponin content of mate leaves was positively correlated with leaf thickness, anthocyanin, waxiness, and leaf chlorophyll. Saponin content was negatively, though slightly, related to caffeine content. A cluster analysis was used to distinguish the desired quality ideotypes, retaining good variability of the origins among the quality groups. The major consumer categories proposed were Gaucho for traditional consumption, Tango for urban consumption and Middle-East as an alternative for green tea. Seed gardens were organized accordingly to ensure market quality.