Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is a species of the holly family and is traditionally consumed in Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It contains caffeine (also known as mateine in other countries) and imparts a slight smokey flavour, sometimes due to the drying process over an open fire. A hint of mint is also there. It is traditionally served and infused using hot water in a hollowed out (and sometimes intricately decorated) gourd using a metal straw called a bombilla.