Materva is one of those things that is just full of the sugary nostalgia of my Cuban childhood. I love that apple-bitter herb taste. It is a staple Cuban-American junk food. Materva was actually one of two popular Cuban soft drinks pre-Fidel. The other company was Cawy. They were the equivalent of our Pepsi and Coke.
According to family rumors, the then President of Materva had a little crush on my Father’s mother. She gave him the cold shoulder and he naturally shifted his attentions towards her younger sister. She would later be the first person to appear on a Materva television commercial.
Materva was later bought out by Cawy, it’s old nemesis, after they reestablished in Miami after Fidel came into power. Cawy kept the Materva name, lost theirs and are still producing the syrupy-IV of my childhood. My Grandfather (father’s side) always had some of the mate concoction available.
I get Materva cravings all the time. It was a long time before I found access to supplies of it in NYC. Astoria actually has a very small Cuban population. I met maybe a good 20 fellow Cubichies in my neighborhood. I have two Cuban restaurants walking distance from the house. It is here, that I can get my cafesito or my Materva. I actually like the espresso from the Italian pizza shop down the block but it doesn’t stop me from taking the hike, sometimes in the least of favorable weather mornings, to dish out two dollars (sometimes $2.50) for the canned elixir at my neighborly Cuban dives.
There is nothing better then a media-noche sandwich and Materva in the morning while looking over framed posters of el Malecon.
dam foo Materva hard 2 come by over their i got like 3 2liter bottels over here brup excuse me hey hit me up when u got time foo i might be going out their
The way you speak so passionately about your favorite childhood drink .Reminds me of the one time I went to Puerto Rico and had something called an "empanadilla". It's the equivalent to what we have here, called a "pasteillo" But it's just different. It's much bigger, and it taste so much better. Wish I could find a place that would allow me to satisfy my craving for it. I guess when I go back to P. R I will indulge my self generously, in order to get that craving over with. (Please excuse my Spanish spelling errors, I do not know the actual spelling of those foods).
Mmm, empanadillas sound good. We Cubans make some really good ones as well.
Your Spanish is better then my inglich. Don't worry. Your message was delivered.