Why is necessary to cure a Mate?

WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO CURE A MATE?

"Mate" is also the name of the container in which we drink the infusion of the same name. Mates come in many materials: ceramic, wood, metal and even silicone.

But if we want to go more traditional, we will choose the pumpkin mate. Yes, pumpkin, of vegetable origin. These gourds are sold ready-made, cut from the plant, cleaned and polished, but they still need to be cured so that the flavour of the infusion is not affected.

In other words, it is necessary to create a crust that blocks the moisture inside the mate so that its walls do not get wet with every sip.

Here is a step-by-step guide to cure a new mate:

1. Pour 1/2 the capacity of dry Yerba Mate and the same amount of hot water.

2. Leave to steep for 24 hours.

3. Remove the Yerba Mate and scrape with a spoon the walls of the mate, which should be green and wet.

4. Repeat the process 5 to 7 times. The last few times, you can use the yerba from the previous day.

Some people use products - such as coffee or even alcoholic beverages - to speed up the process, but the aim is that the mate does not absorb water.

What about other types of mate?

If you choose a mate made of another material, you won't need to cure it, but the taste won't be the most original either. On the other hand, materials such as silicone have the advantage that they are easy to sanitise, take up less space and do not break.

Wooden gourds, for example, do not need to be cured either, but require the same cleaning care as gourd gourds.

Ceramic Mates are cleaned in the same way as silicone Mates and are often decorated in a more creative and handmade way.

If you still have doubts or would like to see what a cured mate looks like, you can visit our shop, see for yourself and comment on these and other articles related to the "Mate Ritual".