IMPORTANT NOTE: We’ve noticed that these gourds are more prone to cracks. Because of this, we highly suggest to cure them as follows (do not skip curing): fill the gourd to the top with USED, MOIST yerba (yerba from a finished session) then let it rest for 24 hours. DO NOT FILL WITH WATER. Oversaturating the gourd too fast is what puts it at risk of cracking. After 24 hours, remove the yerba (a quick rinse is OK), pat down with a paper towel, and dry fully in a dry, well-ventilated area. Once dry, you may repeat this process 2-3 times for best results, as well as apply a thin layer of butter on the inside before curing.
Our handcrafted mate criollo takes you back to the basics with a beautiful, “naked” calabash gourd and a separate leather base to hold it upright (or at an angle for steeping the mountain!). Without all the adornments, this is for the simple and to-the-point materos that want something versatile and extremely functional. The calabash itself is shaped similar to a cuia, making it great for chimarrao as well.
(The size and shape of each gourd varies from the pictures shown as no two gourds are the same – some are larger, some are smaller. Due to the nature of this product, natural blemishes and marks are normal.)
Dimensions (approx.): Base: 3.5 x 2.5in. Calabash: 4 x 4in.
