Yerba mate

Yerba mate is a special kind of tea that people really like to drink in some countries in South America, like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

First, people pick the yerba mate leaves from the yerba mate tree. They dry the leaves and crush them up so they can be used to make tea.

When people want to drink yerba mate, they put the crushed up leaves into a special cup called a gourd. They fill the gourd up about halfway with the leaves.

Then, they pour hot water over the leaves. The water makes the yerba mate release a kind of special flavor and smell.

To drink it, people use a straw that has a special filter on the end. The straw is called a bombilla. The filter on the end helps to make sure that you don't get any of the leaves in your mouth when you drink.

Some people like to add other things to their yerba mate, like sugar, honey, or even milk.

Yerba mate is very popular because people think it is very healthy. It has vitamins and minerals that are good for you, and some people say it gives them energy and helps them to stay focused. It's a bit like coffee, but with a different flavor!