Brazilian Mate

This national beverage with caffeine originally comes from Paraguay, southern Brazil, and Argentina. The tea comes from the green leaves of a type of holly that is said to have manifold beneficial effects. Sharing a cup of mate was a ritual and sometimes had the function of a peace pipe among the natives. Later, Brazilian mate became the most popular drink of the Gauchos, the South American cowboys. Mostly enjoyed outside at the campfire, it became the national drink in almost every country on the continent over the years. The caffeine is bound to tannic substances and is set free in the body very mildly. Hence, its effect lasts longer than that of coffee.