Mate is a tea-like drink made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant. The drink is popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and southern Brazil. The Guarani Indians were the first people to drink mate. Mate is served in a hollow gourd and sipped through a metal straw. It is often shared by friends. Mate is served hot in winter and cold in summer. It is most often brewed with water but can be steeped in lemonade. Mate is high in caffeine but doesn't have the ill effects of coffee. Mate is said to have medicinal properties.