mate

or maté ( , Spanish: , Portuguese: ) is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused herbal drink. It is also known as or , and ka’ay in Guarani. It is made by soaking dried yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) leaves in hot water and is traditionally served with a metal straw in a container typically made from a calabash gourd (also called the ), but also made from a cattle horn in some areas. A very similar preparation, known as , removes some of the plant material and sometimes comes in tea bags. Today, mate is sold commercially in tea bags and as bottled iced tea. was consumed by the Guaraní and Tupi peoples. Its consumption was exclusive to the natives of Paraguay, more specifically the departments of Amambay and Alto Paraná. It is the national beverage of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and is also consumed in the Bolivian Chaco, Brazil, Northern and Southern Chile, and Syria, where it was brought from Paraguay and Argentina by immigrants. Accessories The metal straw is known as a or and is traditionally made of silver. Modern straws are typically made of nickel silver, stainless steel, or hollow-stemmed cane. The functions both as a straw and as a sieve. The submerged end is flared, with small holes or slots that allow the brewed liquid in, but block the chunky matter that makes up much of the mixture. A modern design uses a straight tube with holes or a spring sleeve to act as a sieve. The container the is served in is also known as . It is commonly made from calabash gourd but may also be made out of other materials.