Argentinians prefer mate, which is a type of tea. Mate is a traditional South American beverage that is commonly consumed in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and some parts of Brazil. It is made by steeping dried leaves from the yerba mate plant in hot water. The resulting infusion is then consumed by sipping it through a metal straw called a bombilla. Mate has a distinctive bitter taste and is known for its energizing and invigorating effects. It is often enjoyed socially, with friends or family members passing around a shared gourd of mate and taking turns sipping through the bombilla.
