BUENOS AIRES-- When Kansas native Laura Ginsberg moved to Buenos Aires and began working in educational technology development, she discovered something unique about the Argentine office environment: Argentina’s preferred source of caffeine, mate.

Mate (pronounced mah-tay) is a loose-leaf infusion that’s not technically tea, but is often described as being similar. It is a cornerstone of culture, a way of life and a daily routine in Argentina, the country that produces more yerba mate, which is the name for the beverage’s...