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Making a mate gourd: Discover the 6 key steps

December 9, 2020

Time to read 1 min

The mate gourd is the essential tool for consuming yerba mate . In fact, the gourd is used to prepare a mate, with the mate bombilla.

But then, what are the 6 steps in making a handmade mate gourd? How long does it take to make it?

Summary

1. Origin of the gourd: Agriculture and harvest 2. Artisanal work 3. Prepare your mate gourd before first use What is the purpose of cleaning? How to clean your artisanal gourd? 4. Properly maintain your mate gourd

Origin of the gourd: Agriculture and harvest

Growing mate squash

The traditional, artisanal mate gourd comes from a fruit, the squash.

We find the best squashes in the rather temperate climate of southern Brazil, in South America.

The first step in making a mate gourd is to select a very strong gourd. Its thickness is an important criterion for resistance, between 1 and 2 cm for our artisanal gourds compared to 0.2 to 0.5 cm for usual gourds.

The size also has an influence on the selection because we want a squash suitable for the consumption of yerba mate, which can contain between 200 and 500 ml. So we will have to wait 6 to 12 months before obtaining the perfect size.

After selection, we can cut the squash, empty it and dry it. During drying, it will harden and acquire the resistant properties of wood. The drying time is about 6 months .

Now we can move on to the craft work.