Mate Gourds
From authentic, traditional mate gourds handcrafted in Argentina and Brazil, to modern, no-fuss stainless steel gourds, we have one to suit every mate drinker and for every occasion! Go simple with a basic natural calabash, or go extravagant with premium leather and a hand-chiseled rim! Explore our entire mate gourd collection below now.
Useful Links: How To Cure A Yerba Mate Gourd
How To Clean A Yerba Mate Gourd
How To Prevent Mold In Mate Gourds
What Mold Looks Like In Mate Gourds
A mate gourd (or simply called a mate) is the traditional cup used for preparing and drinking yerba mate. Originally made from hollowed calabash gourds, they also now come in more modern materials like wood, stainless steel, ceramic, and even silicone. Some can be as basic as the calabash itself, or decorative with engraved metal rims, wrapped in leather, etc.
Authentic calabash gourds are handcrafted in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay - the traditional heartlands of yerba mate culture. Our collection specifically mostly comes from Argentina and Brazil. We partner with skilled artisans and workshops that make each mate by hand.
Curing a mate gourd is a traditional step done (only to natural calabash and wooden gourds) to clean out leftover plant material/debris, and by drawing out the natural bitter tannins. There are many methods to cure a mate, but we have found steeping your gourd in hot water (170F/77C) for about 20 minutes is the quickest and easiest way while producing a similar result.
If you're just starting out, the best mate gourd is one made of stainless steel. Compared to a calabash, these don't need to be cured and don't risk growing mold either. You can treat them like a regular, everyday cup you use at home.
Mold shows in mate gourds when left to dry under poor conditions (no airflow, high humidity). To prevent mold, it's always best to clean your gourd immediately after each use, pat dry with a paper towel to absorb as much moisture as possible, and rest the gourd on its side in a cool, dry environment. Ideally, under sunlight or by a fan. For best results, we recommend using a small desktop USB fan.
Gourds made of natural materials (calabash, wood) should only be rinsed with warm water. Do not use soap, as it can get absorbed into the gourd. Scoop out the yerba, rinse under water, pat the inside with a paper towel, and leave to dry in a cool, dry environment.
Gourds can last a lifetime - it may even outlast you! It's not uncommon for mate gourds to be passed down from generation to generation, as long as it is properly taken care of.
A gourd is totally optional, but great if you want the traditional experience. If you're brand new and don't want to commit, you can always settle and use whatever cup you have available in the house.
