Country life greatly influenced colonial city life in times past. Horses, ponchos, boots, and mate were important aspects of culture. Horses were widely used for work by both men and women. Ponchos and boots were worn by all social classes. Mate, a caffeinated tea, played an important social and cultural role. It was prepared from dried herbs in gourds and shared among groups through a metal straw in a ritual-like process, sometimes with sugar or citrus, until all were satisfied. Eating was forbidden during mate meetings.