What is Mate tea?
Mate tea (pronounced ma-te) is the national drink of Argentina, known for its ability to restore and provide focus.
So, what is this?
Mate tea is made from yerba mate (pronounced yer-ba ma-te), a South American tree in the cera genus, similar to the tea plant. It's not technically a "tea" as it's not made from the tea plant, Camellia Sinensis, but it has similar benefits to tea as it's just as rich in antioxidants and contains caffeine. In South America, it's drunk from a hollowed-out gourd with loose tea, hot water, and a metal filter straw (in Argentina, almost everyone walks around with the iconic cups in hand). 
Where does yerba mate come from?
Yerba mate tea originated in Paraguay, where the indigenous Guarani and Tupi tribes were the first to cultivate the plant and make it into a tea. Since then, it has spread throughout South America and is most popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. If you have ever traveled to South America, you have probably seen literally everyone drinking yerba mate...
Why should I drink yerba mate tea?
It will give you an energy boost thanks to its natural caffeine content. Yerba mate is a great tea to try if you want to impress your friends with a niche blend - it tastes like a smoky green tea.