Mate Gourds

Browse our collection of mate gourds featuring two main types - traditional calabash gourds, handcrafted by skilled artisans in Argentina and Brazil, and stainless steel mate cups for a modern, low-maintenance alternative.

Whether you're just getting into yerba mate or looking to add to your collection, we carry a wide range of styles - from simple, unadorned calabashes to ornate leather-wrapped mates with engraved metal rims.

Which Mate Gourd Is Right For You?

Best Mate Gourd For Beginners

If you’re new to yerba mate and want the simplest starting point, a stainless steel cup is the safest and smartest choice. It requires no curing, is easy to clean, and can handle daily use without much thought. This allows you to focus on learning how to prepare and enjoy mate without worrying about maintenance or fragility.

Best Mate Gourd For Traditional Preparation

If you value authenticity and want the classic mate experience, a calabash gourd is the traditional option.

Natural materials require more care and preparation, but many experienced drinkers appreciate the ritual and character it develops over time. If you enjoy the hands-on aspect of mate, this is the most rewarding path.

Best Mate Gourd For Travel

If you drink mate at work, outdoors, or while moving throughout the day, durability should be your top priority.

In that case, stainless steel cups are the most practical. They’re impact-resistant, low-maintenance, and far less vulnerable to cracking than natural materials.

What Is A Mate Gourd?

A mate gourd (or simply called a mate) is the traditional cup used for preparing and drinking yerba mate. Originally made from hollowed-out calabash gourds, they also now come in more modern, low-maintenance materials. Some can be as basic as the calabash itself, or decorative with engraved metal rims, wrapped in leather, etc.

What To Expect From Your First Mate Gourd

If you're buying a mate gourd made of calabash, don’t expect it to look factory-perfect. These gourds are natural, which means no two are exactly alike. Each one has its own shape, texture, and character.

You may notice small blemishes or surface marks on the calabash, variations in color or grain.

These gourds are also finished by hand. The leather wrapping is cut, fitted, and applied manually, and the metal rim (virola) is chiseled and set by hand as well. Because of this, slight variations are completely normal.

If you’re used to perfectly uniform, mass-produced drinkware, this might feel different at first. But that’s exactly what makes a traditional mate gourd so special.

Calabash VS Stainless Steel Mate Gourds

When deciding between a traditional calabash gourd or stainless steel cup, we always recommend having at least one of each.

Calabashes are made from a natural material and require extra attention to ensure it doesn't mold. However, they also provide a smoother flavor the more you use it and can become true works of art. These are fun to have and can last you a lifetime, but are more suited for those who already serious about getting into yerba mate.

If you're a beginner, you want something with less maintenance, so stainless steel is the way to go. These cups don't have to be cured, are easy to clean, and highly resistant to mold. As they're not porous, they also allow you to get the purest taste of the yerba you drink.

How To Clean Yerba Mate Gourds

To clean natural calabash and wooden mate gourds, start by scooping out as much yerba as you can. Then rinse under warm water, pat dry with a paper towel, and leave to dry in a well-ventilated area. Ideally by a fan. Sunlight is optional. Avoid soap on natural gourds as it can soak into the material and affect the flavor over time.

Stainless steel, ceramic, glass, and silicone mate gourds are much easier to maintain as they can be treated like any other dish in the house. These materials can be washed more thoroughly and dried immediately, making them mold-resistant.

Why Buy Your Mate Gourd From Yerba Mate Lab?

Not all mate gourds are made to the same standard. Even when two gourds are the same style, the quality can be completely different. One may have dry, cracked leather, while another has a smooth, well-finished wrap. One rim may sit unevenly with visible gaps, while another fits clean and flush. One may have loose stitching or weak finishing, while another feels solid and carefully made.

We’ve spent years moving from supplier to supplier in search of better craftsmanship. And each mate gourd we carry is chosen with that standard in mind.

Every order is also packed and shipped in-house so we can maintain tighter quality control. And each mate gourd is inspected for cracks, holes, peeling, loose stitching, poor fit, and other flaws before it ships.

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