Traditional Argentinian gourd for drinking yerba mate.
 
Important: This mate MUST be cured. See the instructions below or email us if you have any questions.
This is a natural product made from a hard, pumpkin like gourd so each one is a little different in size and colour. Approximate size is 7.5 x 7.5 – 8.5 x 8.5cm with a volume of around 200ml.
 
Curing your gourd
Instructions to cure a pumpkin gourd:
Put two tablespoons of yerba mate inside the gourd and fill it to the top with tepid water from the tap (not hot!). Leave it overnight.
Drain the water and the yerba. Carefully use a small spoon to remove the inner 'skin' of the pumpkin. Make sure you are gentle; otherwise, you can create a hole in your gourd.
Repeat step 1 and let it sit for another day.
Repeat step 2, and it should be ready to use after this!
 
Recommendations:
Never leave a pumpkin gourd with used yerba mate after you have drunk mate; this will create mold.
NEVER put a pumpkin gourd in a dishwasher or use soap to clean it; these are big no-nos!
Remember, your gourd is a vegetable, so don't expose it to extreme temperatures (window sill, top of the oven, etc.).
 
Care Instructions:
This pumpkin gourd MUST be pretreated (or "cured") before using. Latino Foods takes no responsibility for breakages or damages that may occur due to incorrect curing of the gourd or its use. Please follow the instructions below to do this; it's easy but necessary. If you prefer an already cured gourd, browse our selection of wooden gourds; they come already treated. Otherwise, we have a nice selection of glass and metal mates that don't need treatment.
 
Please be aware that pumpkin gourds may break if the water is too hot and is poured directly onto the calabash. They may acquire mold (which will affect the flavor of the mate) if left wet and may break if not used for several weeks. You agree to purchase this product knowing that this may happen, and it is not our responsibility to replace the gourd if it does.