Yerba mate gourds are tricky. Unlike all the types of bombillas and types of yerba mates, gourds (also called mate) come in a lot more different shapes, sizes, materials, etc. And deciding which one to buy can be very stressful as they all have their own pros and cons.

Some gourds require a lot of responsibility, while some don’t. Some gourds are used for one thing, while another gourd is used for something else.

See where the confusion can come in?

If you don’t choose wisely, you can end up with a poor drinking experience.

Luckily, this post is going to cover it all for you. We’re about to go over all the 7 types of yerba mate gourds below.

So to start off, let’s begin with one you should already be familiar with…

#1: Calabash Yerba Mate Gourd

Calabash gourds are the first gourds people used to drink yerba mate out of.

However, do not mistake this for wood.

I know I did when I first started. In fact, before purchasing one, I had to message the seller to make sure the gourd was actually made out of calabash instead of wood. True story. One time, I even showed my girlfriend a calabash gourd and the first thing she asks is, Is this wood?

So if you’re new, don’t be fooled.

Although its color and solid frame can make it seem like that, it’s nothing close to wood.

Calabash gourds are actually made out of a dried, hollowed-out calabash (squash plant), and can come in many different shapes, sizes, and designs.

Calabash gourds are very delicate. Most of the ones you’ll find have thin walls that are actually as hard as a rock. However, they can easily break/crack if you drop them or fill it with water that’s too hot. They can also grow mold if you don’t clean them properly.

When you first get your calabash, it’s recommended you cure them first. This is to remove the loose tissue inside the gourd to prevent it from making your mate taste too bitter, but it’s not mandatory to do this.

Despite the extra care and attention that’s required from these gourds, they’re great to have as no other gourd is like it.

They provide a natural authentic experience that only people who’ve used them before can relate to.

If you want to experience this for yourself, click here now to get a calabash gourd from our shop.

#2: Wooden Yerba Mate Gourd

Wooden mate gourds are another type of gourd people in the past have often used.

They’re usually made out of carob (algarrobo) or palo santo which both come from South America.

Out of all the types of yerba mate gourds, wood is one of the most fragile. Even more so than calabashes. They can crack easily and can also grow mold as well.

However, this is easily preventable.

Although you may have heard several horror stories about wooden gourds cracking, leaking, or breaking, I’ve owned a palo santo gourd for over two years now, and I’ve never had a problem. As long as you cure it on a regular basis (and don’t drop it or fill it with boiling hot water), it should last a lifetime.

Again, despite the extra care and attention wooden gourds require, they’re well worth it.

Like calabashes, no gourd can compare to the feel of a wooden one either.

If you’re interested in this type of mate, click here now to get one from our store. We offer both carob and palo santo gourds.

#3: Brazilian Cuia

A cuia (or porongo) is the name of the calabash gourds in Brazil.

They’re both made out of the same plant, just a different part of it.

Here’s a picture so you can see the difference:

The plant yerba mate gourds are made of

Regular calabash gourds are made from the bottom half of the plant, while cuias are made from the top half. This gives them their unique curvy and wide-mouthed shape.

These gourds are traditionally used to drink chimarrão – a powdery neon green mate from Brazil.

However, you can use it for any type of mate.

Because cuias are the same as calabashes, they should be cured, cleaned, and stored the same way.

Cuias can sometimes come with a built-in stand or separate one depending on the design because the bottom of these gourds are too round or pointy to stand up on their own.

If you want to get this type of gourd, click here now to shop our collection of Brazilian cuias.

#4: Ceramic Yerba Mate Gourds

Now we’re going to start getting into the more unconventional gourds, starting with ceramic gourds.

Ceramic is a nice natural material, but aren’t traditionally used. Fortunately, they have a lot of advantages to them compared to calabash and wooden gourds, making them beginner-friendly.

With these types of mate gourds, you don’t have to cure them. It’s also simple to clean and dry with just water and a towel. Plus, you can store them anywhere and never have to worry about them growing mold. As long as you don’t drop them on the floor, they’ll last you a lifetime.

Ceramic also insulates heat well, so it won’t be hot to the touch.

If you want a convenient way to enjoy yerba mate without sacrificing all its natural elements, click here now to get a handmade ceramic gourd on Amazon.

#5: Glass Yerba Mate Gourd

Glass gourds are practically the same as ceramic ones. And they’re just as great because of its convenience. They’re easy to clean, don’t need curing, and are resistant to mold.

Glass mates can also be see through like the one pictured above.

This adds a cool element to the drinking experience as you can see how the whole yerba mate system works.

If you’re interested in experiencing this, click here now to get a glass mate from our store!

#6: Silicone Yerba Mate Gourds

Now I know I’m going to get a lot of hate on this, but I love silicone gourds.

Aside from the one flaw of it being able to easily tip over, these little things are probably the best option for beginners. It’s even great for experienced yerba mate drinkers.

Here’s why:

• They’re extremely affordable
• They don’t grow mold
• They’re easy to clean and store
• They’re easy to bring on-the-go
• And they don’t break even if you drop them

Why wouldn’t you get this gourd?

I understand it’s totally out of tradition, and may even be offensive to a few. But outside of that, its convenience is not something you want to pass up on.

Here’s one you can get on Amazon.

#7: Guampa Yerba Mate Gourd

Guampas are the drinking vessel of choice in Paraguay.

They use this gourd for their national drink – tereré (iced yerba mate).

Although traditionally made from a bull’s horn, you can sometimes find them made out of stainless steel, glass, and even wood.

Unfortunately, I don’t see any reason to get a guampa unless you plan on drinking tereré often. For regular yerba mate, its size and shape won’t work well.

However, they do look great. It’s narrow and tall with a curved figure.

And is just a cool piece to have.

If you’re interested in a guampa, click here now to get one on Amazon.

BONUS: Stainless Steel Yerba Mate Gourd

Our stainless steel gourd with our Yerba Mate Lab logo

Stainless steel gourds are amazing.

You don’t have to cure it or worry about mold. Plus, you can clean it in seconds.

But that’s not the best part…

Stainless steel gourds use the same double-wall technology that’s used in thermoses.

What does this mean for you?

It means this cup can keep your mate hot (or cold) just like a thermos does. This way, your mate is always kept fresh and delicious. But not only that, the exterior also never gets hot to the touch.

If there’s any gourd you want to get for its convenience, it’s a stainless steel one. They’re lightweight, don’t break easily, and can handle any water temperature.

If you want a stress-free drinking experience, grab our stainless steel gourd now at our store!

Final Words

And there you have it!

Just like bombillas and yerba mates, there are many different types of gourds to choose from.

Choosing a gourd all comes down to your preference and how much maintenance you’re willing to go through.

But you’ll have to test through trial and error to find a truly good one.

Some gourds can be horrible – they leak, crack, or break easily – while others, great.

Which is why here at Yerba Mate Lab, we guarantee nothing but the best. Our gourds are all tested for quality and handcrafted to perfection. Some of our gourds are even sourced directly from Argentina and Brazil so you can have the most authentic experience.

Click Here Now To Find The Perfect Gourd For You! (FREE SHIPPING)

P.S. We also offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee for all our customers because we’re confident you’ll love them. If you aren’t satisfied, just contact us and we’ll love to help you out.