It’s poison, and doesn’t even taste nice. I’ll never understand why people drink club mate.
Club - Mate is so commonly drunk, it inspired a whole range of similar mate soda brands, also available in every supermarket. Also most Latin Americans don't know about the existence of mate sodas in Germany and they are always surprised when finding out.
P.S.: Why is the history "lost"?
I keep a crate in the basement, drink one per day, it’s great. Not sugary or synthetic-tasting, but just like a mild tea. Win for me.
No history of Club Mate is complete without mentioning Tschunk.
https://de.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Tschunk