If you’ve been drinking yerba mate for some time, you’ve probably heard this…

You must rotate between your yerba mate gourds.

Or…

You should have one gourd for each day of the week.

For some, this is new information. But for most, this sounds like common sense.

Of course you should have more than one gourd!

But how many and which ones?

Don’t worry, I’ll answer all of that below plus more. Let’s first start with…

How Many Mate Gourds Should You Own?

It doesn’t matter whether you drink mate once in awhile or every day, you always want to make sure you have at least 2-3 gourds on hand.

For two reasons…

Reason number one being, if you accidentally crack/break one, you already have another gourd to use. Whereas if you only had one, you now have to go out and get a new one. And wait til then to finally drink some mate.

Reason number two is size. You don’t want just one big gourd or one small gourd. Because what happens if you want to drink a lot, or just a little? Right… you’re stuck with only one option. The best thing to do is have gourds of varying sizes to meet whatever needs you have for that day.

Now, notice I didn’t mention any reason of rotating between gourds.

Here’s why…

Do You Need To Rotate Between Gourds?

Again, you’ve probably heard many people suggest doing this but I don’t think it’s necessary at all.

Rotating between gourds is nothing more than a safety measure. You do it to ensure no mold grows in your gourd. So you use a new gourd each day, and let the previous one sit until its completely dry.

At face value, this sounds like a good idea.

But it’s not mandatory.

In fact, I use the same gourd almost every single day. And guess what? I’ve never had to deal with mold or any issue. The gourd is still in pristine condition, only now, it’s fully cured inside.

How could this be?

By simply cleaning and storing your gourd properly.

Now that you know you don’t have to rotate, and that you should own 2-3 gourds, what gourds should they be?

Which 3 Mate Gourds You Should Own?

Let’s say you’re on a budget and don’t want to buy multiple gourds. So you stick to a max of 3 gourds (which is what I recommend), what should those three be?

It all comes down to what you like and want. But for me, they would be:

• A Brazilian cuia
• A palo santo gourd
• And a stainless steel gourd
  

I have many reasons for this, but before I mention them, my pick of gourds is not to say others are better or worse.

I chose these three gourds solely for practical reasons.

Let me explain…

The Brazilian Cuia

This gourd is a must-have in every matero’s collection.

Without a cuia, you’re limited to Argentinian, Paraguayan, and Uruguayan mates.

But with a cuia, you can drink all three plus Brazilian mate – otherwise known as chimarrão.

Made from the traditional calabash plant, you’ll be drinking out of the same gourd that’s been used for centuries by the indigenous Guarani tribes. And you sure don’t want to miss out on that experience.

Cuias are also more durable and less prone to cracking than regular Argentine calabashes. They’re also typically larger, making them the perfect gourd for sharing or when you’re in need of a caffeine boost.

If you want to grab one for yourself, click here now to shop our collection of Brazilian cuias!

The Palo Santo Gourd

Along with the cuia, everyone needs a palo santo gourd too.

Palo santo is a wood and the only one that features a distinct smell and taste that can enhance your overall yerba mate drinking experience.

However, this gourd is sensitive and can be easy to crack.

But if you know how to cure and take care of it, this won’t be an issue. It does require more attention and care than others, but it’s well worth it. Not only is it a beautiful piece of art, but it also has a natural piney aroma unlike any other wood.

Palo santo gourds are usually smaller in size too, making them perfect for short solo drinking sessions.

If you want to grab one, click here to shop the one pictured above or click here to get our aluminum-wrapped palo santo gourd which helps prevent it from cracks.

The Stainless Steel Gourd

The last gourd every mate drinker needs is a stainless steel gourd.

Stainless steel gourds act as your fool-proof backup. The one you can always rely on if all your other gourds break or get moldy. Why this one?

Because these gourds almost never crack, break, or grow mold. They also don’t require any curing and are probably the easiest to clean, store, and take with you on the go. You can even use it back to back to back since you can dry them instantly.

But that’s not all…

If you want to drink tereré, stainless steel gourds are a must as they keep the contents inside cool (and hot when drinking mate).

If you want to get one, click here now to shop our specially designed stainless steel gourd.

Final Words

You don’t need a lot of gourds to enjoy yerba mate. If you’re on a budget, this is relieving to know.

At most, you’ll only ever need the 3 gourds above – a cuia, palo santo, and stainless steel gourd.

With this tiny collection, you can enjoy all the mate, chimarrão, and tereré you want.

P.S. If you found this post helpful, you might also want to check out our store because we offer more gourds and bombillas you might like.