In the past I preached silicone gourds to be the best beginner’s gourd. But as time has passed, and as more yerba mate products came to the scene, my opinion has changed…
Stainless steel gourds have now taken the top spot.
Now before you say anything about it being non-traditional, I’m fully aware. But this doesn’t take away from how great of a gourd this is.
And today’s post is going to go through everything you need to know before buying one.
Let’s first start with the cons as there aren’t many.
Stainless Steel Mate Gourd Cons
The most obvious con (as mentioned before) is the gourd’s unorthodox material.
As you might know, the traditional way to drink yerba mate is with a calabash gourd and bombilla. And introducing a stainless steel mate gourd to the culture can be considered heresy. But don’t let that stop you from using it (I’ll explain why in a second).
One other thing that might be troublesome with these gourds is the bottom is flat.
Although I never found it to be a problem, the flat bottom can make inserting your bombilla a little more difficult. Whereas with a calabash gourd that has a curved bottom, you can slip the straw underneath the mountain of yerba effortlessly.
Other than these two small things, which barely pose an issue, a stainless steel mate gourd is one of the best gourds you’ll ever buy (especially for beginners) and here’s why…
No Curing Required
A stainless steel mate gourd doesn’t need to be cured like a calabash gourd or wooden gourd does. This process can be annoying as it takes time and money away from your experience. But now, you don’t have to worry about that.
Stainless steel gourds can be used the moment you get them.
Doesn’t Mold
Another great thing about these gourds is that they will almost NEVER grow mold.
Molding is a more common and frustrating problem when it comes to calabash gourds and wooden gourds. Because of the material, these gourds absorb moisture and mold loves that. The more moisture/water, the more mold. Luckily, a stainless steel mate gourd dries instantly because it’s completely solid, so mold doesn’t stand a chance.
Easy To Clean
After using any gourd, you need to clean it. A stainless steel mate gourd makes this process fast and simple though.
Once finished drinking your mate, simply dump the yerba in the trash, rinse the inside of your gourd, and wipe it down with a paper towel. And just like that, it’s ready to be used again. No extra care or maintenance required.
Traveler’s Best Friend
If you want to take mate on-the-go, a stainless steel gourd is the perfect gourd for you.
Compared to calabash or wooden gourds, these gourds can be much lighter in weight, making it easy to pack and carry. But not only that, because it’s easy to clean and maintain, you don’t have to worry about the condition of your gourd.
As long as you have a garbage nearby and some paper towels, you can use your stainless steel mate anywhere. Whether it be the park, beach, or office, you can always expect easy carry, travel, and cleanup.
Keeps Mate Hot/Cold
When drinking yerba mate, another common piece of equipment to get is a thermos. A good thermos keeps your water hot or cold, and prevents it from reaching room temperature (yuck!).
The way a thermos is able to maintain water temperature is also applied to stainless steel mate gourds.
These gourds are designed with a double wall technology. Not only does this keep your mate hot/cold, but it also makes the exterior cool to the touch. You can pour boiling hot water in your gourd and only feel a pleasant warmth when you hold it.
Final Words On Stainless Steel Mate Gourds
If you’re a purist, stainless steel mate gourds probably aren’t your thing. But if you’re looking for ease, convenience, portability, and don’t care to break the rules once in a while, you’ll love them. No matter which one you are though, I still recommend every drinker to have one in their collection.
In today’s fast-paced world, they’re a necessity.
I reach for my stainless steel mate gourd whenever I’m pressed on time. And because I’m busy most days of the week, it makes getting my yerba mate fix in quick and easy. Or if I need to, I’ll pack it in my bag (along with a Ziploc of yerba) when I have somewhere to go.
Despite its unorthodox design, you still get to prepare your mate the traditional way (the best way).
So if you’re ready to add a stainless steel mate gourd to your collection,