Vegetarian. Invigorating, stimulating plant commonly drank in South America. Mate is the beverage of friendship. Traditionally, there are elaborate rituals for how to serve it to a guest. South American caballeros take it with them on the plains to curb hunger and keep them nourished and mentally sharp. Mate is packed with 18 amino acids, and Andrew Huberman (Huberman Labs Podcast) just told me through YouTube that it stimulates glucagon-like peptides in the brain, so, man, fer real, who doesn't need some yerba mate, fer super real?! I just wish my keyboard could type an accent over the 'e' in 'mate.' this drink is more bitter than coffee, so it may be a bit masochistic to the American, sweet-loving palate. I highly recommend softening the flavor with milk/milke and honey or agave syrup, so that it's delicious and creamy at the same time as nutritious and stimulating.