Maté (pronounced mah-TAY) is a South American, specifically Paraguayan plant that produces gourds and leaves. The leaves are dried to make a mild but caffeinated beverage that is consumed from the hollowed out gourd of the plant. Maté contains antioxidants and many nutritious vitamins and minerals. It is a good substitute for coffee and is starting to appear in many Herbal tea blends such as "Morning Thunder" from Celestial Seasonings™. Maté can be bought in bulk amounts of 1 kilogram from ethnic grocery stores, specifically South American ones.