Artisan & Traditional Mate Gourds

Welcome to our buying guide for choosing the ideal mate gourd, the essential accessory for enjoying this traditional South American drink.

The gourd, far more than a mere vessel, embodies the soul of the mate ceremony, connecting drinkers of this infusion to the deep cultural roots of its ritual.

The mate gourd is, together with the mate bombilla, one of the essential tools for drinking mate the traditional way.

It serves as the traditional vessel for brewing and drinking mate.

Made from a fruit - the squash - ours are handcrafted over 6 months to 2 years.

Creating the final mate cup involves a meticulous process and several essential production steps to guarantee its quality and authenticity:

1. Careful squash harvest:
   Carefully selected for its qualities and size, the squash is harvested at optimal ripeness.
   
   
2. Meticulous emptying and drying:
   After harvest, the squash is carefully emptied and left to dry - a crucial step to ensure its strength and durability.
   
   
3. Artistic and technical finishes:

• The leather wrap, adding a touch of elegance and resistance.
• The metal band, reinforcing the structure while providing an aesthetic finish.
• The engraving, delicate work that personalizes each mate cup, making it unique.

To learn more about the making, care or even preparation of your mate with the mate gourd, we invite you to visit our blog.

Mate gourds come in several shapes and sizes, each offering a distinct drinking experience.

Among the most popular types are the Torpedos, the Camioneros, and the Imperiales.

Here is a description of these three great families of mate gourds:

Torpedo gourds

Torpedo gourds take their name from their elongated, tapered shape, reminiscent of a torpedo.

They are especially appreciated for their pleasant grip and their large contact surface between the water and the yerba mate, allowing a rich, complete brew.

Their shape also acts as a windbreak - quite handy for drinking outdoors!

Camionero gourds

Camionero gourds are renowned for their sturdiness and practical shape, designed specifically for people on the move, as their name suggests ("truckers" in Spanish).

They often feature a widened base for better stability and a body that narrows toward the top to minimize spills - ideal for drinking mate while driving or traveling.

Imperiale gourds

Imperiale gourds stand out for their generous size and rounded shape, offering a larger capacity than other types of gourds.

This makes them an ideal choice for group mate, letting you share the drink with family and friends without refilling the gourd too often.

Imperiales are often richly decorated, underlining their status as gourds for special occasions or for passionate drinkers looking for a centerpiece for their collection.