Yerba mate accessories. Which will be the best? How do you choose them?

In order to savour the taste of the "green gold" of the Guarani Indians, enjoy its properties effectively and with pleasure, it is worth equipping yourself with good quality yerba mate drinking equipment. There are several gadgets necessary for the comfortable preparation and consumption of infusions from Ilex paraguariensis. Today we suggest which yerba mate accessories are worth having on hand!

Summary:

1. Yerba mate cup – which one to choose?
2. The best bombilla. Which one?
3. Other yerba mate accessories
4. Drink yerba mate the way you like it!

Yerba mate cup – which one to choose?

The most basic among yerba mate brewing accessories is mate gourd, the vessel in which the infusion of Ilex paraguariensis is made. The Guarani Indians originally chewed freshly picked holly leaves. They gave them energy and improved their concentration before hunting. Later, the indigenous peoples of South America discovered that dried holly leaves could be made into an infusion by pouring water over them. It turned out that such a drink showed the same properties as raw leaves. A vessel was needed to prepare the infusion. The first yerba mate vessels were made from the woody, bulbous fruit of the gourd, otherwise known as the calabash. We have written more about how to prepare such a mate cup here. Nowadays, this type of vessel is still used for brewing and drinking yerba mate, but mainly in South American countries. In other countries, it is rather the truly dedicated yerba mate fans who opt for vessels made of real calabashes. Apart from the high price, natural calabashes also require a little more effort when it comes to keeping them in good condition. So if you are concerned about convenient cleaning and maintenance, opt for the most popular ceramic calabash. Its biggest advantage is that it can be washed in the dishwasher along with other dishes. You can wash it with detergents without any worries and it won't rot even if you leave the wet leftovers of yerba mate in it for a few days (let's hope not too long!). Ceramic mate gourds are also relatively inexpensive, widely available in many yerba mate shops and even in markets, and are produced in many colour variations and various fancy designs. The wooden vessel, on the other hand, is a treat for any lover of yerba mate rituals. In our shop, among the essential equipment for yerba mate, you will find the palo santo mate gourd, a vessel made from a sacred tree. Its aroma and delicate aftertaste is released when the brew is warm and thus gives it its uniqueness. Just like the natural calabash mate cup, the vessel made of palo santo wood requires special maintenance, which can be a bit cumbersome, but it is worth getting one to feel the real magic of the yerba mate ritual.

The best bombilla. Which one?

A good mate gourd is half the story when it comes to putting together a set of essential yerba mate accessories. The other half is the bombilla, which is a metal (or wooden or bamboo) tube, topped with a filter aimed at separating the grounds from the brew. While the Guarani Indians discovered that holly leaves could be consumed in the form of a brew made from them, the drink was initially strained through the teeth, which was very uncomfortable. The first prototype of the bombilla was a piece of cane or bamboo, blinded at one end and perforated to filter the drink. By trial and error, this invention was improved and today we can use the bombilla we know so well. What should it be like? When choosing this gadget, it is advisable to be guided by the type of dried product from which the infusion is prepared. For example, for the typically Brazilian chimarrão, which has a very fine texture and is ground almost to a flour-like consistency, it is recommended to use a “bomba” – equipped with a wide, round filter with holes to prevent clogging. The most popular type of bombilla among yerba mate lovers are “spoon” bombillas – shaped litteraly like a teaspoon. This is by far the most versatile type of yerba mate straw. The only problem with this type of bombilla is that very dusty dry products can get into it, thus causing discomfort when consuming yerba mate. In our offer you can also find bombillas with double and triple filters, which are especially suitable for drinking brews made of medium and coarse-cut dry mate. As far as the material is concerned, the most functional are stainless steel or alpaca bombillas, which are durable and easy to maintain. Bombillas made of stainless steel are relatively cheap and common in yerba mate shops. Bombillas made of alpaca are the higher-end yerba mate equipment for those who appreciate not only the durability of the material used for its manufacture, but also its aesthetic appearance.

Other yerba mate accessories

We also offer a range of other equally useful yerba mate accessowies. Amongst them, it is worth mentioning:

• yerba mate thermometer – useful especially for people who are just starting their adventure with mate tea, but not only. Yerba mate should be made by pouring water at a maximum temperature of 80°C. Warmer water will scald the leaves, making the infusion bitter and unpleasant in taste. After boiling the water, you need to wait about 5-10 minutes for it to cool down and reach the right temperature. To accurately measure the temperature and make sure the water is not too hot, it is a good idea to have a thermometer on hand.
• If you want to make it easier to maintain your bombilla, be sure to get a cleaning rod or a cleaner. With these yerba mate accessories, you can easily clean every nook and cranny of the tube, so the bombilla will last a really long time. When drinking yerba mate, grounds collect in the filter and tube and simply rinsing the bombilla with water is not enough to clean it well. If you decide to buy a detachable bombilla, you can easily wash every part of it. In the case of simple, unscrewable bombillas, this may not be so easy. This is why it is essential to clean the bombilla with a special cleaner.
• If you want yerba mate to accompany you on your travels, the Yerbomos – a specially shaped yerba mate thermos that acts as a thermos, a cup and a bombilla in one – may be a good choice.

Drink yerba mate the way you like it!

All the yerba mate accessories we have listed are very useful for making and drinking the brew. However, the truth is that they are not compulsory. You can drink yerba mate the way you like it. Instead of a mate gourd, you can use a regular cup or glass. You can pour the dry maet into a regular tea brewer and then you won't need a bombilla to drink the infusion. If you don't need a bombilla, you won't need to clean it thoroughly either, so a cleaner will be unnecessary. A thermometer is a gadget to make life easier, but it is not essential. You can "feel" the right temperature once you become proficient at brewing yerba mate. Yerbomos are another gadget that is useful in certain situations, but you can also live without it. However, special, dedicated yerba mate accessories make the brewing and consumption of mate a kind of ritual, acquiring a certain magic and mystery. Therefore, if you want to experience the true South American culture of mate tea, it is worth reaching for accessories used by the inhabitants of "yerba mate" countries. If you are wondering where to buy the best yerba mate accessories, you are welcome to shop at our MateMundo.co.uk shop!

Source of information:

1. Wikipedia: Mate, History of yerba mate.
2. Encyclopædia Britannica: Mate.