I've met a few tea-obsessed Brits in my time, you know the ones who want to engage me in a debate about when to add the milk before I've had the chance to say that tea makes me wanna gag.

But I didn't know a lot about South America's obsession with tea, a love so deep they take it everywhere they go. At first the sight of so many southern Brazilians carrying thermoses made me think they just really enjoy a good picnic. But then I noticed the little cups and silver spoons they seem to be constantly sipping from.

Now the sight of someone drinking maté is as typical to me as a picture of a Hollywood star with a takeaway Starbucks cup. Everywhere in Brazil and Argentina, there are people addicted to maté, a form of herbal tea which is the national drink in Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, but also loved in parts of Brazil.

I have since learned that the straw is called a bombilla and the icky leaves floating on the top are powdered herbs, called yerba.

Although some people say the ingredients in maté are probably carcinogenic, I was desperate to try a drink which had captivated these nations. I got my chance when a tour guide offered me a sip of hers.

Expecting it to taste like toes, I took a gulp and was really surprised. It was quite nice, a lot like the herbal tea we're used to in New Zealand. Hers could have used a little sugar which she told me is a typical addition. And later I got to try some sugared maté in Argentina and found it to be quite nice indeed. I never thought I'd see the day when I would enjoy the taste of tea, but maybe it's time I did since we're settling in London in a couple of months.

Check out more photos from my trip in my Flickr album.

Read more about South America.

Read more about Kelly's adventures.