Tisanes

Tisanes, more commonly known as herbal teas, are teas which do not contain the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant and are made with any kind of plant matter such as flowers (in the case of rooibos tea) or tree bark (lapacho).

Mate

(Pronounced "Mah-Tay")

Mate is a very popular South American infusion. It is made from the dried leaves of the Yerba Mate plant which is a species of holly grown in sub-tropical South America leaves are dried, chopped, and ground into a powder mixture called yerba.

Mate is a stimulant and is very high in xanthines, these are alkaloids in the same family as caffeine, however, despite this Mate is lower in Caffeine than tea or coffee and those folk who may be avoiding caffeine but needing a stimulant should turn to mate for alternatives.

Mate is served with a metal straw (bombilla) from a hollow calabash gourd.

Mate is usually consumed at family gatherings and social settings and is known as a "friendship drink". It is beleived
The drink has a delightfully pungent taste like a cross between coffe and green tea with hints of oak