Alexis · Fondateur d'YVY Maté
Choosing the size of your mate gourd is crucial for an optimal tasting experience. The right size allows perfect brewing of the leaves, guaranteeing a balanced, pleasant flavor with every sip.
In this article, we'll guide you through the different traditional gourd sizes, with a focus on the 250 ml gourd. You'll discover why this size is often considered ideal for an authentic experience. We'll also explore the pros and cons of each size.
Discover how to choose the perfect gourd for your mate and optimize every preparation for a consistent, pleasant flavor.
Traditional mate gourd sizes
The mate gourd, used for centuries in South America, is far more than a simple vessel. It's the symbol of tradition, conviviality and artisan know-how.
Traditional gourds, often made from dried squashes, wood or ceramic, vary in size and shape, directly influencing how mate is prepared and enjoyed.
Torpedo mate gourd in Alpaca and bronze
Common traditional gourd sizes
Traditional mate gourds come mainly in three sizes: small, medium and large, each with specific advantages.
Small gourd (50-150 ml)
Small gourds are perfect for mate drinkers who prefer individual portions or want to ease into mate gently.
They allow brewing with fewer mate leaves, for a smoother flavor.
Their small capacity, however, makes for a shorter session - around 500 ml of infusion for 10 to 20 g of mate.
Medium gourd (150-250 ml)
Medium gourds are the traditionally used ones - the perfect compromise between practicality and capacity.
With enough room for several refills' worth of brewing, they need fewer top-ups than small gourds. They're ideal for regular drinking, alone or with company.
They can take around 30 g of mate and brew about 1 L of water.
Large gourd (250-350 ml)
Large gourds are designed for family sharing moments or big groups. They let you prepare a large quantity of mate in one go (between 40 and 50 g).
Their large capacity (around 330 ml), however, can make the leaves brew less evenly, and calls for more mate and water.
We don't recommend these gourds for newcomers wanting to discover the drink.
250 ml Camionero mate gourd
The 250 ml mate gourd: a traditional choice
Among the available sizes, the 250 ml gourd stands out as the most traditional and the most functional. This size is often favored for several reasons:
1. Optimal preparation
The 250 ml gourd lets you build the "montañita", or well, for brewing the mate leaves while using a recommended quantity of around 20 to 30 grams of mate. That ensures a balanced, flavorful brew.
2. The right volume
A 250 ml gourd offers an ideal grip. This volume is the traditional favorite: it lets you enjoy the perfect amount of brew, then add water to share with a neighbor.
3. Preventing over-brewing
One of the main challenges in preparing mate is avoiding over-brewing, which can make the drink bitter. With a 250 ml gourd, it's easier to drink all the added water before refilling, guaranteeing a consistent, pleasant flavor.
Ochre Imperiale mate gourd in chiseled Alpaca
The 250 ml gourd's challenges - and the solutions
Needing frequent water top-ups
One of the main drawbacks some drinkers mention is the need to top up the water frequently. That can get tedious, especially without a thermos.
You might think a 300 ml gourd would be more practical. It's precisely the opposite: the risk is brewing too much yerba at once, or collapsing the well by wetting all the leaves - making the mate very bitter. Not advisable, especially when starting out, before you're used to mate's flavor.
The solution: our Tempera 2-in-1 Mate Thermos
Our Tempera 2-in-1 mate thermos is the ideal way past this obstacle. It keeps water at the ideal temperature on hand wherever you are - topping up becomes a formality.
For regular mate drinkers, the thermos is an essential piece for comfortable enjoyment. This thermos's bonus? Its cap turns into a 240 ml gourd - perfect for savoring a mate wherever you are!
