Yerba maté is without doubt one of the most popular South American beverages. Drinking of Yerba maté has become a ritual in the culture of the original inhabitants of South America. It is traditionally drunk in groups, within the family or at meetings of friends, during which the group frequently shares both the calabus (a vessel traditionally made from pumpkin) and the bombil (a traditional straw). At present the largest producers of maté are Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Maté supports the function of the kidneys, strengthens the immune system and stabilises blood sugar levels.