With consumers more and more concerned about the food we consume and the health risks to our bodies and our environment of the goods used to serve that food. This is where yerba mate really stands out as the sustainable choice.
Preparing your gourd
Most mate gourds are made from vegetable products (traditionally of the pumpkin variety) and dyes are natural and non-toxic. They are not treated with chemicals to get that hardened feature, but are naturally dried and cured using nothing but warm water and spent (used) leaves of yerba mate. Additionally if you are drinking from a gourd that was imported into NZ (such as
these ones from our sponsor) the seeds and insides of the pumpkin gourd are extracted to avoid mould or decomposition (and to satisfy quaranteen regulations).
Check out htis earlier blog for more detailed instructions on curing your mate.
Choosing a Gourd
Finding the right gourd for you depends on many factors - not least of which is style. From a functional perspective you need to match your choice of gourd against your preferences for the leaf that you will drink (stronger brews for a single person will only need a small mate). If you are only an occasional drinker but you prefer to drink the traditional way perhaps a glass gourd (very robust) or an aluminium coated wooden gourd are better choices.
Check here for a previous blog on mate care.
What Variety
Pumpkin gourds vary in size, shape and colour, Our sponsors have a statement indicating that if you wish for a particular type, size or colour you should email them first to confirm if they will be able to provide you with this. This is because the photographs are indicative only of the type of gourd you can purchase. As before, shape, size and colour vary. The dye used in the pumpkin gourds are from vegetable products and usually do not come off unless the gourd is kept under the sun for long periods or washed excessively on the outside (which is not recommended). So, if you are fussy, it pays to be clear what you are looking for in terms of size and colour.
So go forth and
buy a new gourd and use these wisdoms to ensrure that your new gourd provides the best service to enhance your yerba mate experience.
