Waking up to a warm maté gourd is one of the great pleasures of Argentine life. The natural fit of the vessel in your palm complements the energizing infusion within.
Our mates are hand-crafted by Argentine artisans. We pay prices above the norm in order to support decent standards of living for these talented artisans, but we make a special effort to keep our mates affordable to our customers. Gourds naturally vary in size and shape, but most are the size of a medium apple. These mate vessels are ideal for enjoying yerba mate traditional-style with a bombilla. And remember, it is necessary to cure your maté gourd before use. This process removes the bitter gourd taste from the vessel.
These maté vessels are decorated with fire designs to achieve a speckled sheen reminiscent of a jaguar's coat.
Q: How do I cure a yerba mate gourd?
A: It is necessary to cure your mate gourd before use. This process removes the bitter gourd taste from the vessel.
Scrape the dry, flaky material form the inside of the gourd with a spoon.
Fill the gourd with loose yerba mate.
Pour in hot water.
Let the gourd sit for 24 hours.
Empty the gourd and scrape inside again.
Rinse well.
Fill the gourd with loose yerba mate a second time.
Pour in hot water again.
Allow the gourd to sit another 24 hours.
Empty the gourd and give it a final scrape with a spoon.
Rinse well.
Your gourd is now ready for use! Remember to follow these tips to keep your gourd in good shape:
Do not use soap when cleaning the gourd. A thorough rinse is sufficient.
Do not run gourd through the dishwasher.
Do not leave used tea leaves in the gourd for extended periods after use.
Empty gourd after use, rinse well, and allow to dry on a windowsill.
If you use additional herbs or flavors in your gourd, your gourd will acquire those flavors afterward.
It is natural for the inner walls of your gourd to stain greenish-black over time.
THIS ITEM SHIPS TO THE U.S.A. ONLY. |
