Yerba Mate Gourd

3″ diameter at the top, 4″ height.
2-3 ounce capacity.

Mango Wood.

The traditional practice of drinking Yerba Mate is a fun and engaging group activity. One individual (cebador, in Spanish) assumes the role of server. The cebador typically fills the gourd and drinks the Yerba completely with a Bombilla (straw) to ensure that it is free of small particles and that it is of good quality. The server subsequently refills the gourd and passes it to the next drinker, who likewise drinks it all. The ritual proceeds around the circle until the mate becomes lavado (“washed out” or “flat”), typically after the gourd has been filled about eight to ten times, depending on the yerba used. Well-aged yerba mate is typically more potent, and therefore provides a greater number of refills. When one has had their fill of mate, they tell the cebador when it is their turn to drink by simply saying gracias (“thanks”) as they receive the mate. In the tradition of mate-drinking, gracias means that this accepted mate will be the last to be drunk, and serves as an acknowledgement of the kindness and kinship offered by the cebador and those with whom one has shared the mate.