Yerba Mate Gourds, Bombillas & Tea Sets – Yerba Mate Society https://yerbamatesociety.com Everything About Yerba Mate Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:01:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.5 https://yerbamatesociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/yerba-mate-society-logo.png Yerba Mate Gourds, Bombillas & Tea Sets – Yerba Mate Society https://yerbamatesociety.com 32 32 Discover The Finest Yerba Mate Gourds And Bombillas For The Authentic South American Tea Experience https://yerbamatesociety.com/best-yerba-mate-gourds-and-bombillas-and-where-to-buy-them-from/ Mon, 03 Dec 2018 16:01:16 +0000 http://yerbamatesociety.com/?p=339 Avid yerba mate drinkers believe that sipping your mate from a regular teacup is an unforgivable blasphemy. Whether it is your first time enjoying this energy-boosting infusion or you need to replace your worn out container, this guide to the best yerba mate gourd will help you find the ideal mug for your favorite beverage.

For the authentic touch, you’ll also need a quality bombilla straw to drink your herbal tea. Only this way you can truly enjoy drinking your hot mate or tereré in the classic, stylish fashion established by a millennia-old tradition. Therefore, we’re going to take a look at some expertly-crafted yerba mate tea sets that will make drinking mate a veritable art and ritual.

Best Yerba Mate gourd & bombilla

You’ll experience herbal tea a whole new way with these top-rated yerba mate gourds and bombillas. We’ve hand picked the ones that deliver the authentic experience of drinking South American mate teas. We kept an eye on craftsmanship, design and convenience. And we’ve looked at both traditional and natural gourds, as well as the more contemporary cups for the modern tea drinker.

Naturally, the experience is not only about the cup you pour your tea in. It’s also about the customary stainless steel straws or bombillas that you use to drink it with, traditionally, so we’ve included those as well. With this fine selection, you’ll elevate your drinking ritual to a whole new level, and you’ll be able to deeply enjoy the earthy taste and rich flavor of your yerba mate hot herbal tea, the proper way.

 

Handmade Mate Tea Set Made In Argentina

Most yerba mate gourds come with a straw or bombilla to ease your worries and help you savor your first mate as soon as possible. It is the case of this popular set composed of a gourd and a stainless steel bombilla that comes all the way from the homeland of mate, Argentina.

This handmade yerba mate tea set from Gaucho Market comes with a brown, large-sized gourd that has a stainless steel coating at the top. The 14cm tall spooned bombilla straw enables smooth sipping and the 11.5cm tall yerba spoon helps you fill the traditional yerba mate teacup with minimal effort.

handmade natural yerba mate gourd with bombilla

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Traditional Natural Yerba Mate Gourd

If you want to feel the genuine taste of mate tea from an original yerba mate gourd, you cannot do better than this handmade yerba mate teacup from Balibetov. This gourd is made from natural calabash fruits that have had their whole interior hollowed out and the exterior darkened through direct exposure to flames. A silver rim is added to the finished gourd that gives it that stylish look.

The manufacturer recommends that you cure the gourd before preparing your first mate infusion. Also, since it’s made from the dried out fruit Calabaza, the gourds may vary in size, according to their natural shape. We must note, however, that this stylish orange gourd does not come with a traditional straw, so be sure to get yourself a bombilla too, if you want the authentic mate experience.

traditional natural yerba mate gourd hand made

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Premium Yerba Mate Gourd And Bombilla Straw

Sipping on delicious mate from an authentic Argentinian gourd should take your passion for this beverage at the ultimate level. Few other gourds can give you this feeling better than this premium handmade mate gourd. It’s hand crafted with passion and dedication by Argentinian artisans, and will provide an authentic herbal experience.

This calabash gourd comes with a unique exterior design that is handmade covered in real quality leather with precise stitching. The minute details of the silver rim are also done by hand with great care and attention by the expert crafters. The bombilla straw it comes with is made of stainless steel and also boasts an intricate hand crafted pattern. The cup and straw together are not merely a tea set, but more so a piece of art. If you value an authentic experience, in tune with the ancient traditions of drinking yerba mate, and you want a gourd that will provide that rich earthy and deep taste to your tea, this premium gourd will fully deliver. Remember to cure the gourd before fixing your first tea to ensure that the mate tea will have a rich and full-bodied taste.

handmade yerba mate gourd in leather with steel bombilla

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Leather Wrapped Handmade Mate Gourd With Silver Alpaca Bombilla

Nothing spells elegance better than drinking your mate infusion from a gourd wrapped in natural leather. This handmade yerba mate teacup is a calabash gourd covered in slick parchment that rests on a convenient three-legged stand. The alpaca silver rim adds a subtle metallic note and enhances the classic design of the gourd.

This leather wrapped yerba mate tea set also includes a stainless steel bombilla that should help you sip on your beverage without having to ingest any of the brewed mate leaves.

handmade leather wrapped mate gourd with bombilla straw

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Hand-made Glass Yerba Mate Cup With Spoon-end Filter Alpaca Straw

People who say you can only enjoy an excellent mate from a natural calabash gourd have surely did not sip one from this handmade glass yerba mate teacup. The eye-catching design of this gourd includes a sturdy blue glass with unique decorations and a nickel-plated trim that also serves as a stand. The durable bombilla comes with a spoon-end pressurized extraction filter that does not let any leaf particles pass from the gourd to your mouth.

glass ceramic yerba mate gourd and straw

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Double Wall Stainless Steel Yerba Mate Cup With Stainless Steel Mate Bombilla Straw

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of cleaning a natural gourd, you can opt for this double wall stainless steel yerba mate tea set. Boasting a slick, modern design and a bright green color, this 8oz unbreakable gourd will help you enjoy a tasty mate drink without the earthy flavor that some consumers find too bitter.

The manufacturer claims that this set contains the best yerba mate gourd and a top quality aluminum bombilla. If you are the type of mate drinker that likes to keep his passion simple and comfortable, then this dishwasher-safe, stainless gourd is ideal for you.

Stainless Steel yerba mate tea set with gourd and steel straw

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Wooden Handmade Premium Yerba Mate Gourd Set

This premium mate gourd is handmade in Argentina by skilled artisans. They hand carve it in premium quality wood, and no one gourd will be the same as the next, which makes it unique and personal. The beautiful intricate German silver details give this gourd personality and presence.

Made out of natural carob wood, the gourd provides a unique flavor to the natural herbal taste of mate teas. The bombilla straw is handcrafted as well and comes with a cleaning brush so that you can easily remove those stubborn herbs that sometimes insist on not being rinsed away.

Since it’s made of natural wood, you will have to prepare and cure your gourd the first time you use it. But it’s worth it for sure. Once cured you’ll be able to experience the unique taste and benefits of yerba mate the traditional way, in a finely crafted, stylish, and natural gourd or, dare I say, piece of art.

Mate gourd made of wood with silver details and steel bombilla

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 Easy Clean Yerba Mate Bombilla

A great way of improving your mate drinking equipment is by adding a high-quality yerba mate bombilla. This easy-clean, stainless steel straw is perfect for regaining that satisfying taste that you experienced when you first drank from your mate gourd.

This 21-cm bombilla comes with a removable filter head that makes it easy to clean with the cleaning brush included in the package and a spoon-end pressurized extraction filter. The middle of the bombilla straw displays a blue bead that you can rest your fingers on without burning your hand while sipping on your mate.

Easy-to-clean yerba mate bombilla for gourd drinking

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GFDesign Yerba Mate Bombilla

Many mate drinkers invest in a yerba mate tea gourd and bombilla only to find the drinking straw unsatisfactory. Fortunately, they can improve on their investment by purchasing this set of two yerba mate filter straws that have no peculiar smell and endless reusability.

These 6″ long yerba mate bombilla straws have a smooth surface and an eco-friendly design. They come with an easy-to-use cleaning brush and are suitable for any type of gourd, regardless of its material. The spoon-end filters prevent the tiny yerba leaves from entering your mouth as you sip away your mate.

Yerba Mate bombilla filter straw made of metal

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Gaucho Stainless Steel Yerba Mate Straw

If you are looking for a high-quality bombilla to add to your gourd, you do not have to look any further than the Gaucho Stainless Steel Yerba Mate Straw. This 6.5″ long bombilla has a three-part filter straw head that is more efficient in stopping yerba debris from entering your mouth than most spoon-end filters out there.

The Gaucho bombilla is highly resistant to corrosion, damage and you can easily clean it by putting it together with your cutlery in the dishwasher.

stainless steel spring bombilla for mate

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Finding a High-Quality Yerba Mate Gourd and Bombilla

Most yerba mate enthusiasts are at a loss when they look for places where to buy yerba mate gourd. While retail stores may have a limited offer of yerba mate gourds and bombilla straws, your best choice is to look for the best yerba mate tea set online.

In this regard, you cannot find a better selection of yerba mate teacups and drinking straws anywhere else than on Amazon. The biggest online retailer in the world offers hundreds of mate drinking accessories from which you can pick the best yerba mate gourd and bombilla for your taste.

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What Is The Best Yerba Mate Thermos And Where To Buy It From? https://yerbamatesociety.com/best-yerba-mate-thermos-and-where-to-buy-it-from/ Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:52:12 +0000 http://yerbamatesociety.com/?p=306 There are three essential accessories that every passionate mate drinker should have in his inventory: a gourd, a bombilla, and a yerba mate thermos. Out of all the three items, the latter is usually overlooked, but its presence is mandatory especially if you want to keep your mate tea warm and refreshingly delicious.

If you want to take your mate tea everywhere you go, a yerba mate flask should be a convenient and practical source of hot water that will keep your tea at the optimal temperature. Here are the most efficient options on the market and where to buy a good yerba mate thermos!

top quality yerba mate thermos

 

Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle

We’ll start off with one of the most well-known travel containers: the Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle. This vacuum insulated jug can preserve up to 2Qt of hot water for up to 32 hours. This product is the ideal choice for a yerba mate travel mug that you can take along everywhere you go whether you need to refresh your mate during a busy day at the office or on a weekend hiking trip.

The Stanley Classic Vacuum Bottle comes in five different sizes that range from 16oz to 2Qt. Each one of these thermoses is made from unbreakable stainless steel liner and has a drinking cup as an insulating cup. They come in various colors and are BPA-free to ensure that you enjoy drinking your mate tea from a safe and eco-friendly container.

If you are an avid drinker of tereré (yerba mate tea prepared with cold water and ice), the Stanley Classic can still be an excellent choice for a yerba mate thermos. This vacuum insulated bottle can keep the water ice-cold for as many as 160 hours, which makes it perfect for long excursions in the hot summer time. Check it out:

Yerba Mate thermos from Stenley

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Zojirushi Stainless-Steel Easy-Serve Airpot

The second entry on our list of the best yerba mate thermoses is the Stainless-Steel Easy-Serve Airpot from Zojirushi. This beverage dispenser can hold up to 101 ounces of hot water ready at any time to rejuvenate your mate drink. It comes with a vacuum liner that keeps the content at an optimal temperature for as many as 42 hours.

The feature that makes the Zojirushi Airpot an ideal thermos for your yerba mate tea is its lever-style pump that enables you to pour hot water in your mate-filled gourd quick and easy, and without having to open the entire container. Online retailers are the best places where to buy a yerba mate thermos from regardless of the model that you prefer.

The Zojirushi Easy-Serve Airpot is made from high-quality stainless steel and eco-friendly plastic components that are easy to clean. Measuring 15 by 8-1/2 by 5-7/8 inches, and weighing little over 4 pounds, this where to buy a yerba mate thermos

is more suitable for long trips by car or by train when carrying it around is more convenient.

Stainless steel thermos for tea and hot drinks

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Stainless Steel Thermos All In One (Including Cup And Bombilla)

What if you could have only one container for both your gourd and your yerba mate travel mug? If that is your wildest mate dream, then the Stainless Steel Thermos All In One is what you are looking for. This 500Cc bottle comes packed with a ready-to go mate gourd that screws on as a cap. Aditionally there are two small containers at the top – one that holds mate leaves, and one that filters them as you sip your favorite energy drink through the side straw.

This yerba mate thermos is easy to assemble, and with a capacity that ranges between 350ml and 500ml, you can enjoy a fresh mate drink on the go. It comes in grey, black, pink and silver, and it is made from BPA-free plastic that does not withhold any odors.

The great thing about this innovative solution for hot yerba mate is that the container keeps the water at an optimal temperature for hours on end. Therefore, this yerba mate flask will do its job perfectly on your morning commute to work, and keep your drink ready to go all the way to midday. You can’t go wrong with this modern travel bottle, your tea will be hot and tasty every time, just as if you’d only just brewed it then and there!

All-in-one yerba mate thermos with cup and bombilla

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Kalmteh Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle (for Yerba Mate, Coffee or Herbal Teas)

If you prefer tereré to the classic hot mate infusion, and you are looking for a sturdy vacuum insulated bottle that can keep your water freezing cold for as long as possible, you cannot do better than this Camel Mate bottle with straw and coffee lid.

The Kalmteh Mate Vacuum Insulated Bottle is a double-walled container that can hold as much as 26 oz (760 ml) of hot tea for as long as 24 hours. It is the perfect yerba mate travel mug that will keep your tea hot for a very long time and due to its design, it won’t burn on the outside (it has a double wall build, that both insulates the inner liquid as well as makes the bottle feel cool on the outside). So you can enjoy your tea all throughout the day. Some people said that it can keep hot water at an optimal temperature for almost 12 hours, which is quite a feat for a thermos.

This yerba mate flask comes with a leak-proof lid and a side straw. It is made from sweat-free, BPA-free stainless steel that is reusable and refillable, which makes it an excellent long-term accessory for your yerba mate drinking habit.

Insulated stainless steel thermos for yerba mate teas and coffee

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Balibetov Thermos For South American Mate Teas

The last entry on our list of ideal choices of yerba mate thermoses is this stainless steel thermos from Balibetov, designed specially to hold and drink south American style mate hot drinks. The Mate Bottle has a capacity of 32 oz (950 ml) and has a leak-proof lid with a straw, so that you can savour a mate tea, just like you would directly from your gourd with a bombilla. The thermos is suitable for long trips, and it can provide a refreshingly hot mate drink for many hours after boiling and preparing the tea.

The Balibetov Mate Bottle is made from high-quality BPA-free plastic and comes all the way from Argentina – the birth land of yerba mate tea. You can add this practical thermos to your mate drinking accessories as an effective solution for carrying your favorite energy booster on trips or at work, where you can enjoy the long lasting tea hot for hours.

stainless steel thermos with straw for south american mate teas

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Where Can One Get A High-Quality Yerba Mate Thermos?

With so many alternatives for mate flasks to choose from, your best place where to buy a good yerba mate thermos from is Amazon. The online retailer offers a wide range of portable containers that can easily become an essential part of your mate-drinking inventory of accessories.

On Amazon, you can compare different yerba mate travel mugs and read some of the user reviews, which will tell you the experience of other mate drinkers with those products. Furthermore, you can benefit from discount prices, limited-time offers and even free shipping on selected merchandise.

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8 Types Of Yerba Mate Gourds You Need To Know https://yerbamatesociety.com/8-types-of-yerba-mate-gourds-you-need-to-know/ Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:32:39 +0000 http://yerbamatesociety.com/?p=221 There are so many types of yerba mate gourds that sometimes it becomes hard to differentiate them and choose the one you like the most. Not all beverages depend on the container as much as it is for the mate. Drinking it is a whole ancient Argentinian tradition, so if you really want to get heads down into it, take a look at the different types of mate gourds and some tips and tricks to choose the perfect one!

All the types of Yerba Mate gourds out there

 

1. Natural, Hand Made Yerba Mate Gourds

Traditional yerba mate lovers prefer this type of gourd among all and it might probably be the first one you’ll buy. They are made of a climbing plant called Legendaria Vulgaris (squash plant) so the shape and size can vary. The artisans will, first, cut the pumpkin to create the bowl shape and then scrape the inside.

Even though they are hard as wood, they could also be very delicate and thin. Make sure you don’t drop them on the floor as it can potentially break into pieces. Pouring very hot water will also damage and crack the gourd, so make sure you take care of it.

The ones with a wide opening are perfect for abundant mate yielding since the yerba takes longer to get wet. This yerba mate cup will add to that natural flavor you get from drinking the tea.

If you buy this type of gourd, it is highly important that you clean and dry it carefully, especially before the first time you will use it. This process is called curation and it works to remove any type of loose tissue that could make the taste of your tea a bit too bitter. Here is a good example of a traditional gourd that you can check out:

natural hand made gourd with bombillla straw

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2. The Silver or Alpaca Gourd

Are you having special guests you’d love to impress? This is the perfect yerba mate gourd to do so. The craftsman will create this mate cup by selecting special types of pumpkins and then add metal ornamentation.

The silver decoration could be just in the mate waist or inlaid. The technique requires a lot of work: the craftsmen will design and draw the ornamentation; melt, laminate and forge the metal into shape; and then finish by chiseling and polishing the piece. Here is a fine mate tea cup that you can check out:

handmade gourd for yerba mate with silver decorations

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3. Wooden Yerba Mate Gourds

Among the types of wood that the artisans would carve and decorate, there could be Algarrobo, Palo Santo, quebracho, and Roble. Depending on its type, the yerba mate that you prepare in such a gourd would acquire a peculiar flavor. For example, wooden gourds made out of Palo Santo can enhance the flavor and give a nice smell to it, so even though you won’t buy it, it is worth to try it at least for once!

Among all the yerba mate gourds, these might be the most fragile. Therefore, it is important to preserve them carefully and prevent them from breaking or accumulating moisture. To do so, you can cure them with butter, oil or bovine fat.

If you do decide to buy one, maybe it’d be better if it’s covered in metal plating. That way you get the best of both worlds: the metal would make them last longer and prevent them from cracking, but the wood would still enhance the flavor. Yummy!

classic design yerba mate gourd made of wood

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4. The Guampa or Antler Gourd

These gourds are very special since they are made out of bullhorns, but can actually be made from any material (even glass). However, to make the original ones, the craftsmen would burn a piece of horn until they obtain a transparent and smooth product that resembles glass. Then, they will cover them entirely with metal and sometimes add silver details.

This type of gourd is very common in Paraguay to take tereré (cold mate). There is no real reason to prefer this type aside from others unless you’d like to be a little eccentric! Here is an interesting Guampa “Antler-sttyle” Yerba Mate cup that you can check out:

Guampa gourd antler style yerba mate cup

 

Check it out here

 

 

5. Silicone Yerba Mate Gourds – Modern Style

These are the most modern and easy-to-clean gourds (and perfect for beginners since they need very low maintenance compared to natural ones). The silicone material has many advantages: it does not keep bacteria or change the taste of the yerba mate tea. Also, it conserves the heat, and it’s very hard to break. At the same time, these cups are not pretentious, and easy to clean and store.

However, for people accustomed to the classic mate cup shapes, they might be a little uncomfortable to grab, and well… some, more conservative, mate fans frown upon them. That’s because a silicon gourd is different from the traditional natural one. But, at the end of the day, they are very practical for people who live fast a fast-paced modern life and still want to enjoy their hot mate tea. These cups come in a big variety of colors and patterns. See one example here:

modern silicone gourd for drinking mate style teas

 

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6. Glass and Ceramics Mate Gourds

These two types of gourd don’t absorb the taste of the yerba and are, also, very easy to clean. These yerba mate cups are amazing for beginners since you will not have to cure or worry about molding them. They’ll last forever, unless, of course, you drop them, oops!

One good thing about ceramic is that it insulates heat well. One good thing about glass is that they are see-through which, you know, makes it cool to drink from since you can look at what’s happening with the yerba. Here is a beautiful example of ceramic craftmanship that we think you might like:

ceramic yerba mate gourd

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7. Metal Gourds

These cups are great for everyone since it is a commonly known material. Some of them can warm up from the hot water while others will not conduct heat. It depends on the way they were made. However, just like silicon gourds, they are very easy to clean and you do not need to cure them.

stainless steel yerba mate gourd

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8. Plastic Mate Gourds

Going camping or on a big trip? This is the best type of gourd. Similar to silicone gourds, these ones are good to throw them in your backpack without any worry in the world since they are resistant, light and easy to clean. We still recommend that you check the silicone one above, since that is superior in terms of quality. For instance, if you plan on travelling, you might find a gourd such as this one very handy:

Plastic type of Yerba Mate Gourd that is good for travelling

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9. Leather Yerba Mate Gourds

Typically, traditional mate cups are made of scooped-up dried fruits. Sometimes the craftsmen cover these gourds in natural leather. The reasoning is that it makes the gourd more durable and practical. Gourds covered in leather this way are more durable and less prone to cracking.

Covering the gourd in leather also acts as a thermal barrier. This keeps mate drinks hot for longer periods allowing you to take your time while you enjoy your hot tea.

Some of these gourds don’t follow the traditional crafting style. Instead, they are made of glass, and then covered in leather. The main advantage of this is that glass doesn’t absorb or alter the taste of the tea in any way, preserving the authentic experience. Also, glass lasts longer than traditional gourds, and it’s easier to clean. Traditional gourds need curing, whereas glass leather gourds are more convenient because they need lower maintenance. Here is a finely crafted example:

Leather gourd for yerba mate teas

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In Conclusion

You have to remember, drinking Yerba mate is almost as drinking wine: it is a whole experience, but nobody has the right to tell you which type is better than the other. There is so much variety of gourds that the best one is just the one you like, or the mood you are in, or the purpose you are using it for. Try each one out, get some experience with each type of gourd and decide for yourself!

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The 5 Bombilla Types Every Yerba Mate Lover Should Know https://yerbamatesociety.com/the-5-bombilla-types-every-yerba-mate-lover-should-know/ Thu, 01 Nov 2018 06:45:09 +0000 http://yerbamatesociety.com/?p=155 Drinking Yerba Mate is a whole experience. Not only because of the benefits that you immediately feel, but because the ancient and traditional roots that influence the way of preparing it and, especially, drinking it. Having said that, yerba mate is not yerba mate without the bombilla and all matero (a passionate yerba mate drinker) could say so.

Types of bombillas you should know

The bombilla is literally translated to straw (and just in case you were wondering, it’s pronounced like bom-BEE-yah), and it helps to drink the warm liquid without the leaves’ powder. This tool contains small holes at its submerged end that allow the brewed liquid in but block the chunky matter that results from having dried, chopped and ground the yerba from the mate.

Mate bombillas come in different shapes, size and materials. Most of them have some degree of curvature, as to avoid the drinker from uncomfortably lowering his head. However, since the whole experience is for you to enjoy it, here are the most common types of yerba mate bombilla to choose for yourself according to its shape and material.

 

1. Coiled Bombilla For Mate Drinks

Coiled BombillaThe coiled bombilla is the most traditional type in Argentina and it will probably be the first one you bought. It is characterized by its spring shaped filter with a slight opening around the entire coil to keep most yerba out.

This type of bombilla is simple to use and works perfectly for broader cuts of mate such as Nobleza Goucha or Cruz de Malta, which are classical Argentinian brands. It is also known to clog less than other types of bombillas (such as spoon and circle shaped ones) so it is recommended for newbies or drinkers who want a smooth flow.

However, it is not preferred for Paraguayan grounds or brands such as Galaxy and Canarias since its system doesn’t easily allow the more viscous yerbas to pass and, in other cases, tiny pieces of lead can get through the filter.

 

2. Spoon Mate Bombilla

Spoon bombillaThis is maybe the most widely used bombilla. It resembles a spoon with approximately sixty orifices in both sides. Contrary to coil bombillas, this shape of bombilla goes well with Gaucho Mate or mates that are mostly powder.

It is super thin which makes it easy to slide onto the very bottom of the gourd and drink until the last possible sip. It also helps mold and sculpts the yerba to prevent you from sucking very small particles. Be careful not to scrap your mate with a spoon bombilla since doing so could lead to clogging.

 

3. Fanned bombillaFanned Bombilla

Another favorite among newbies, these bombillas are more pressed down than the rest. It has a spade-like head with a series of horizontal slices through which the infusion goes through. One advantage is that its fan-like shape acts like a shovel’s head that enables the drinker to scoop out the yerba.

Moreover, it seems to help clog less than the others which make it easier for first-time drinkers. Finally, some people consider that this bombilla helps them appreciate the taste more as less mate enters the mouth.

 

4. Circle or Ball Mate Bombillas

This shape of bombilla filters the infusion through small holes like the spoon bombilla, but the filter resembles a small metal globe. One disadvantage is that the orifices in the ball can be too big and the ball can take too much space. Unless it is used for big gourds, this bombilla might not be the best for you.

 

Bent tip scraper/pick mate bombilla5. Bent Tip “Pick-Type” Bombilla

It is shaped like one of the dental tools that Dentists use to work on your teeth. It has an acute bend or picks that works like the filter with several horizontal slits across each side of the bombilla, which makes the filtering extremely easy. Moreover, the scrap is good for scraping out the flesh of the calabash gourd during the ripening process or for spooning-out the yerba when you want to change it.

 

Types Of Bombillas According To The Material They Are Made Of

Having considered these 5 types of bombillas based on their shape, it is important that you also consider the materials for which they are made as they play a role in its duration and price. There are four main types: bamboo, stainless steel, nickel or silver.

Traditional bamboo bombilla for mate teaBamboo bombillas are preferred to drink cold mate. They are made from a thin and slightly bent bamboo cane and it’s the most accord with nature besides wooden bombillas. You can make your own by cutting a thin portion of a cane and boring slits into the base to form the filter.

Since this type of bombilla is made from bamboo and not metal, you won’t burn your lips if you drink hot mate. Bamboo does not heat up the same way meal does. These are very unexpansive bombillas, but they might be hard to drink from and tend to clog easily.

Stainless steel bombillas are inexpensive and widely available. They are the market standard since the material is very resistible and don’t rust. Nickel bombillas are also very inexpensive, but they rub off with time and cause allergy to some people.

Finally, silver is the material of preference for luxury bombillas. It is shiny, looks beautiful and lasts almost forever. Many silver bombillas are also combined with gold. In the past, it was believed that gold would kill germs.

 

Summing Up

In the end, the difference between all these types of bombillas remains in its quality. The flow will depend on the filter. The more effective the filter is, the more likely it is to clog up. When choosing one, pay attention to the distance in which the holes are placed. If they are too far, some infusion will remain at the bottom of the gourd.

Keep also in mind that the bombilla do not affect the nutrient or flavor content of the yerba mate. You can either drink the infusion without having a bombilla and make it the same way as you would with most teas or prepare it in a coffee maker or French press. And if all that fails, it is always possible to buy yerba mate tea bags instead of loose leaf. But keep in mind that real materos, use real bombillas!

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How to Clean a Yerba Mate Gourd In 4 Easy Steps https://yerbamatesociety.com/how-to-clean-a-yerba-mate-gourd-in-4-easy-steps/ Thu, 25 Oct 2018 11:27:12 +0000 http://yerbamatesociety.com/?p=145 As delicious and nutritious as yerba mate can be, yerba mate gourds tend to need some tender loving care. They need so much, in fact, that it’s recommended that you have several gourds and rotate between them. Even if you do rotate between gourds, you still need to know how to clean a yerba mate gourd.

how to clean a yerba mate gourd

Keep on reading to learn one of the best methods for cleaning a gourd that gets it ready to go in no time.

 

Cleaning a Yerba Mate Gourd In 4 Easy Steps

So, you’ve got your gourd, you’ve filled and emptied it several times by using it to brew a few hot drinks. Now the time comes to clean it out. So let’s go through the steps you need to follow to do that properly:

 

  1. Start by scraping out the yerba. It makes for a great compost. If you don’t want it though, feel free to put it into the garbage. We recommend using a spoon bombilla for this.

 

  1. There will no doubt be some yerba left stuck to the gourd. Rinse it under warm water to break it off. Once again, use your bombilla to scrap at the gourd to help remove the stuck mate.

 

  1. Check the gourd again to make sure that you got rid of the leaves. If everything went well, take a paper towel and stick it inside – folding it up if you have to – then press it to the bottom and sides of the gourd with the bombilla. The paper towel will soak up excess water, which is great because the gourd should be as dry as it can be. If you are over-zealous you can even use a hair dryer to accelerate the process, just make sure that it’s on cold air setting so that you don’t affect your gourd.

 

  1. Your gourd should now be as dry as it’s going to get. So now you should store it in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Why do you want to do that? Well basically because this makes it harder for mold to take hold.

 

Additionally, be sure to dry the gourd on its side. You should not dry it upside down on a flat surface! Tilt the gourd at an angle while it dries, because doing it like this allows for the air and light to flow through, preventing mold growth.

If you follow these steps, now all you have to do is wait until everything is dried up and the gourd is ready to use again.  It takes a while for the gourd to be properly ready. If you were to use – and wash – your gourd in the morning, then it might even be good to go by bedtime.

 

We must also note that you shouldn’t be using common cleaning supplies when you clean your gourd? Things like dishwasher detergent, soap, or disinfecting alcohol are a no-no for traditional gourds. Most of these gourds tend to absorb the flavors and aromas of the liquids you pour inside them. So adding some chemical substances is obviously ill-advised.

There are also, obviously, modern gourds made from silicone or other materials (which you can clean however you like, even in dish-washing machines), but those are not the scope of this guide.

 

Conclusion

In order to give a yerba mate gourd a long life span, you should definitely know how to clean it in a correct fashion. By cleaning it properly, you’ll almost never have to deal with mold. Keeping your yerba mate gourd clean in the way we’ve described above should also prevent the lining from getting stained or dirty-looking. Take good care of your gourds, and your yerba mate tea will take good care of you.

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