If you have been here anytime at all you will notice that the coffee shops are filled with people at all hours of the day and night. You will next notice that Mate is consumed equally through out the day and evening...then you will also notice large numbers of people walking around with full sized liters of regular Coke (that is also the drink of choice for young children). Of course, Red Bull / Speed is the drink of choice for late night party goers...
The active ingredient of
Mate is Caffeine. The same for coffee. Coke is filled with sugar and of course, caffeine. Energy drinks are all full of it as well.
It would seem that caffeine is fueling this city!