There are many types of mate gourds - each offering a different experience. Some are more traditional, some are easier to maintain, and some are better suited for travel or daily use.
In this guide, we’ll break down the main types of mate gourds, how they compare, and what each one is best suited for.
If you want to compare mate gourd styles while reading, you can do that here.
To make the decision easier, let’s first look at the main types and how they differ.
Types Of Mate Gourds
The types of cups used can be categorized by the material. And depending on which you go with, will affect the overall drinking experience.
Calabash Gourds (Natural & Traditional Choice)
Calabash gourds have been used for centuries and remain the most traditional vessel for drinking yerba mate.
They're made out of a dried, hollowed-out calabash (squash plant), and can come in different shapes based on the gourd species and how they're cut.
Calabashes are delicate and require the most maintenance out of any type. They need to be cured when you get them. If you're unsure how, follow this guide on how to cure a gourd. They also can risk getting moldy if not taken care of properly.
Despite the extra care and attention that’s required though, they've stood the test of time because not only is each gourd one-of-a-kind, but with time, they can also improve the flavor of your mate.
Calabashes can come in a many styles but the most common shapes are:
- Torpedo (bowl-like)
- Imperial (U-shaped interior)
- Camionero/Cuia (Hourglass shape)
Wooden Mates (Flavor/Aroma Enhancer)
Wooden mates are another traditional type of gourd used.
In Argentina, these are usually made out of carob (algarrobo) or palo santo wood, which both come from South America. In Brazil, you can also find ones made from imbuia wood.
These are just as fragile as calabashes and can crack easily and grow mold as well. Wooden mates also require curing and if well taken care of, can last a lifetime.
Again, despite the extra care and attention, these can also improve the taste of your mate. Especially with carob and palo santo wood which both have a strong and distinct aroma.
Ceramic Mates (A Modern Alternative)
Ceramic is a natural material that isn't too common for yerba mate. However, they do have a lot of advantages compared to calabash and wooden options.
With these types of mates, you don’t have to cure them, they're easy to clean, and you never have to worry about mold.
What you do have to worry about is dropping it as ceramics can easily break. Quick changes in temperature can also potentially cause it to shatter.
Stainless Steel Gourds (Durable & Low-Maintenance)
Stainless steel gourds are the easiest type to go with as they're simple to clean and durable. Unlike ceramic, these can withstand drops and not crack. They don't need to be cured, they won't grow mold, and can essentially be treated like any regular cup at home.
The best thing about them though is they're great at keeping your mate hot or cold. Which is why these are almost just as popular as calabashes. Some even are designed to look like traditional gourds. Stainless steel is commonly used in Paraguay and parts of Brazil for tereré as well.
Silicone Gourds (Flexible & Indestructible)
Silicone gourds are a modern option designed for portability and durability.
Unlike natural gourds, silicone also doesn’t need curing and is extremely resistant to drops or damage, making it a practical choice for travel or outdoor use. The flexible material also makes it easy to pack into a bag or backpack.
While silicone doesn’t retain heat as well as stainless steel or ceramic, it's a cheap, convenient, and low maintenance option.
Guampa/Cow Horn (A Traditional Paraguayan Vessel)
Guampas are traditionally used in Paraguay and are made from cow horns, giving it a distinct curved/tapered look. These also need to be cured and are only meant to be used for tereré, since hot water can cause it to crack.
In a practical sense, guampas offer no real benefit over other types of gourds. However, they do look great and is a nice piece to have in a mate collection.
What To Consider When Comparing Materials
With all these options available, it's easy to get confused. But the main thing to consider is maintenance.
If you don't mind the maintenance, go with organic mates. Calabash, wood, and cow horn need to be cured before using them and dried properly to avoid mold. To some, this can feel time-consuming, but for those who want the full traditional experience, these are the way to go. But if you're always on the move, these aren't the best as you'll have to figure out a way to clean and dry them well.
Instead, go with non-organic mates, especially if you want as little maintenance as possible. Materials such as stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic don't need to be cured and are mold-resistant. But you do miss out on the enhanced flavor that calabash and wood can offer.
What Type Of Gourd Is Used In Each Country?
Because there are different types of yerba mate in each mate-drinking country, they usually have a common gourd they're known for.
Argentina
In Argentina, smaller, round calabashes tend to be preferred, along with algarrobo wooden gourds. Because their yerba is coarser and contains more stems, their preparation is a lot more forgiving and does not require much attention. Sometimes, you'll even see them use small enameled steel cups.
Paraguay
In Paraguay, guampas or cups made of cow horn are traditionally used. However, stainless steel mates are also popular as it can help keep their terere cold.
Uruguay
In Uruguay, larger calabash gourds with a wider opening are more common. Styles such as the torpedo, imperial, and camionero are typically used as their yerba is much finer and more powdery. These mates allow them to prepare a mountain of mate to help prevent clogs and for better filtration.
Brazil
In Brazil, they also use calabash gourds or how they call them,cuias. Their gourds typically much larger, and feature an hourglass shape with a wide opening to accommodate their powdery erva mate (chimarrão).
Mate gourds are not all the same, and that’s part of what makes them interesting.
From traditional calabash to modern stainless steel, each type offers a different balance of ritual, maintenance, and everyday convenience.
Once you understand how the materials, shapes, and traditions differ, it becomes much easier to figure out which style makes the most sense for you.
If you want to explore different styles further, browse our mate gourds here.
1 comment
I wouldn’t hesitate choosing a calabash gourd if you are a “beginner”. The few required skills are easily learned, like how to butter toast, and should not deter you. The traditions are born from efficient practicality, it makes sense and works well. I have been using the first gourd I bought in Argentina for over 30 years; I have dropped it many times, taken it camping and my 16 year old son takes it to school with a thermos of hot water often, where I’m sure it is not treated with tender care. I consider it one of the most durable, functional, best value-for-cost and environmentally friendly products I have ever bought. I like the way the it warms your hands, and the maintenance is insignificant.
When you buy a new one, it will probably be kind of rough inside. It is not necessary, but nice if you can get a sheet of coarse sandpaper and sand back any dried stringy bits or fleshy parts of the gourd that weren’t scraped out completely before it was dried.
Curing is just making a maté and letting it sit for a while then tossing it out to saturate the gourd with maté flavour. If you don’t, your first couple of maté will be gourd flavour.
To prevent mold, simply compost the spent leaves and rinse the gourd out with the last of your hot water, and allow the gourd to dry. It will only mold if you keep it wet all the time. If you drink maté several times a day, get a couple of gourds and use one for the day while the other has a chance to dry out. It is like a towel, if you never allow it to dry completely, it will get gross. But unlike a towel, you never need to actually wash it, just rinse and let dry.
Honestly, I think all of other kinds are just the usual human habit of trying to fix what isn’t broken, I can not think of a single situation other than maybe space travel that I would be in when I would choose something other than the gourd.