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There is never a bad time for mate, and turning down the offer could be taken as a snub. Across Argentina, people have mate on the mind when they place the kettle on the stove first thing in the morning. In the afternoon, mate is the preferred pick-me-up in work meetings. At night, mate is a trusty companion for all-night study sessions and lonely graveyard shifts. This Inato Premium (about $17) claims to have no stems and very little dust, with each bag containing leaves from shade-grown plants.
- Great for drinking yerba mate in college or work environment We offer a wide selection of yerba mate tea bags.
- For the indigenous people, the Mate plant was a sacred present granted by the gods, and Mate had a unique, spiritual meaning, apart from its nutritional benefits.
- There are also campaigns, backed by politicians, such as Julia Argentina Perié, for eradicating child labor in South America.
- Other common bombilla materials include stainless steel and hollow cane, a tall, woody stalk of grass that is very strong.
- You can go about doing your work or socializing with people.
- To drink your yerba, simply suck on the end of the bombilla like a straw.
No machines, a unique style and artwork making each piece unique. Each Calabash Gourd grows uniquely, at his time and form. Even though I love the chili paste substitute tradition of calabash gourds and everything that goes into it, it’s a relief knowing a stainless steel gourd doesn’t require extra attention to use it. Silicon mate gourds are relatively new on the market. TheLeather and Glass Mate Set Including Straw embodies the amalgamation of tradition and modernity, by its use of contemporary materials. As such, this gourd shall be well suited for those who belong to the forward-looking new generation of yerba mate lovers.
The homage to tradition comes full circle when even you, the user, is meant to interact with it as the original yerba mate drinkers did. This wooden gourd is handcrafted and the “splashed” with fire to achieve a rustic, uniquely patterned outer skin. Such is the focus on maintaining a standard that all these gourds are hand-picked for their size and shape. It is prepared using nickel-plated brass bombilla with native ornamental etchings. Meanwhile, the leather offers thermal and physical protection while also giving the gourd a rather flamboyant appearance.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Mate Gourd?
I started looking for an alternative for coffee and remembered that yerba mate also has a decent amount of caffeine. I started drinking yerba mate more often, and the more I drank, the more I liked it. Fill the bottom third of the mate with yerba mate leaves.
Brand New Kit Yerba Mate Set: Containers Gourdcup Bombillastraw
After few sips astringency starts to accumulate in mouth, which I enjoy. Mate does not contain fat, it is low in calories and in sodium. It can be easily included in the routine of anyone who is trying to control their weight or simply following a healthy diet. Tea and coffee drinkers may be unaware that yerba is considerably healthier and more beneficial. This is a brief summary of all the properties that make mate a “super-drink”.
Cool it down with ice or by putting it into a fridge. In addition to being cleaned after each use, the bombilla should be washed thoroughly once a month by being immersed in boiling water for 30 minutes . Then, clean the interior with a thin brush to remove any remains of yerba mate. Obviously you can not drink mate without mate gourds. Be amazed with the beauty and quality of these handmade mates.
I’ll also be dispelling some myths/misconceptions around the gourd to further your understanding as a true matero. Our blog is all about sharing our love of Latin American foods & drinks. We will bring you articles and recipes of the very best Latin American & Spanish cuisine.
Maraña Yerba Mate Fan Set
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. They provide a natural authentic experience that only people who’ve used them before can relate to. Even with my calabash gourd which I’ve probably used 100+ times already, I never noticed a difference.
Finding The Perfect Bombilla
However, these will only sweeten up the natural tastes; they will not alter the flavor profile of the leaves. Whether your leaves are in the gourd, a mug, or a tea bag, they can all be refrigerated to stop them from molding so quickly. If you are keeping the leaves for more than one day, before use check for any white or green mold growing on your leaves. Once you start using your leftover leaves, the first few batches may not taste as good as new due to the cooling.
One very popular way of enjoying yerba mate is to make iced tea, also called tereré. It is a cold-brewed tea where additional ingredients, such as lemon and mint, can be added to give the beverage an extra fresh flavor. Currently, yerba mate tea is consumed all over the world. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , Brazil produces the largest amount of yerba mate, followed by Argentina and Paraguay. In Paraguay, yerba mate became so popular, that it was the main product of the colony.