GOURD PREPARATION
Preparing yerba mate in a gourd is an art.
 1) Fill the mate gourd with a daily serving of Guayakí Yerba Mate.
2) Gently shake the gourd so that the yerba mate is on one side, leaving an open area on the other side.
3) Insert the filtered end of the bombilla into the bottom of the gourd.
4) Gently pour a little cold water into the open area to moisten the
yerba mate. This protects the flavor and health properties. Leave the
mate gourd tilted until the yerba mate has absorbed the water.
5) Add hot (no hotter than150 degrees F.) water until it reaches just
below the top of the yerba mate. Sip from the bombilla until all the
liquid is gone, then add more hot water. The first few drinks are
strong; the flavor will soften as more water is added for each drink.
6) Now that the gourd is prepared, drink it, add more hot water and
serve your friends one at time in a circular fashion. Basically, pour,
pass, sip. Let them know not to move the bombilla, as to not disturb
the yerba. - Before using the gourd, read the curing and caring
section.
7. The mate gourd can be refilled 15-20 times.
CURING
A mate gourd is a gift from the Earth. It is a dried,
hollowed-out vegetable gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) that has been
hand-carved with great care by an artist. To ensure a long life: Do not
drop your gourd. Always be sure to rinse out your gourd when you are
done using it, and let it dry completely. A soggy gourd will become
weak and could tear or mold. A mate gourd is “un companero de la vida”
(a companion for life). If you protect it, it will protect you.
A well-cured gourd will bring out Guayakí’s deep, rich flavor.
1. Gently scrape the inside of the gourd with the tip of the bombilla to clean out any
loose gourd particles.
2. Prepare the gourd following normal preparation instructions (see side panel).
3. When finished using the gourd for the day, empty it out and give it a rinse
with water. Then using the bombilla, gently scrape out the gourd again.
4. Finally, place the gourd upside-down in the dishrack or a warm place to
COMPLETELY dry. DO NOT let your gourd stay moist for prolonged periods of
time. For best results let your gourd dry completely before using it again.
Quick Cure Method: simply begin using your gourd, it will cure in time.
SERVING
A Cebador (great mate server):
- Passes only a smooth running mate.
- Serves a mate that won't burn you. Hot water means a hot bombilla.
- Remembers who is sharing maté. If someone has signaled that they are done, do not pass them another mate.
- Knows not to share mate with someone that has a cold or flu.
- Encourages
people not to move the bombilla which may cause it to clog. If the mate
becomes clogged, refill it with water and let it sit for at least one
minute. If the bombilla is still clogged, you can remove the bombilla
and blow it out.
- Always empties the mate gourd, rinses it after use, and allows it to dry completely in order to increase its longevity.
- Remembers that used yerba mate makes great organic compost and fertilizer for plants and returns it to the earth!
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