Fancy a journey to the heart of Argentina? Tea preparation equipment, and Yerba Mate accessories in particular, are essential for crafting this traditional drink. The calabash and the bombilla are not optional extras: they are the very tools that make the experience what it is, bringing depth of flavour and a true sense of discovery to every sip.
How to choose your mate calabash
To prepare mate in the traditional way, you will need a calabash. This vessel comes from a climbing plant known as the calabash gourd: once dried and hollowed out, its natural shape makes it the ideal cup for tasting yerba mate. It is one of the essentials for anyone exploring this iconic Argentine drink.
Calabashes come in more than just the classic gourd form. They can also be crafted from wood, glass, silicone or ceramic. The material you choose will influence the flavour of your infusion and will also determine how you clean and care for it, so your decision will naturally come down to your taste and your budget.
For an authentic, traditional experience, a natural gourd calabash is hard to beat. Tea lovers in particular will appreciate its character, which evokes the warmth of South America. That said, if you are new to mate, a ceramic or glass vessel can be a gentler introduction, making it easier to appreciate the infusion on its own terms.
How to choose your bombilla
A calabash alone is not enough for a complete tasting experience. The bombilla is another indispensable mate accessory. This drinking straw means you never need to fish out the infused leaves with a spoon: it serves two key purposes at once:
- First: it lets you drink the infusion directly.
- Second: it acts as a built-in filter.
Bombillas can be made from various materials, including alpaca silver, wood, stainless steel and even aluminium, and they come in a range of shapes and sizes. Before investing in one, consider the size, the diameter of the filter holes, heat resistance and overall quality, and make sure it is compatible with your calabash for the full experience.
If you are just starting out with yerba mate, you may not want to spend too much straight away. In that case, a stainless steel bombilla is a practical and affordable choice. Prefer to do things the Argentine way? Then the traditional alpaca bombilla is the one to go for.
How to clean and care for your mate accessories
Caring for your accessories properly is an important part of the ritual, especially if you have a traditional bombilla and calabash.
Here are the four steps for cleaning a handcrafted calabash:
- Step 1: cure your calabash before first use. Because it is a dried gourd, it needs a good scraping inside. This improves its durability and positively affects the flavour of your yerba mate.
- Step 2: remove the leaves after each drink. Leaving wet leaves inside increases pressure on the walls, which can cause cracks over time.
- Step 3: rinse after every use. Simply rinse with warm water once you have emptied out the leaves.
- Step 4: dry it thoroughly. To prevent mould, the calabash must be completely dry. Leave it in the sun if you can, or prop it at a slight angle to air out.
Your bombilla also needs regular attention. Some models can be unscrewed, which makes cleaning much easier. Use a small dedicated brush, sliding it through the bombilla and scrubbing all the filter holes thoroughly.
For a rich, one-of-a-kind tasting experience, organic yerba mate is well worth exploring. To get the most out of it, the right accessories matter: a calabash, a bombilla and even a thermos (to keep the infusion warm) will all make a difference. Whatever material you choose, proper cleaning is essential, both to preserve the flavour and to keep your accessories in good condition for the long haul. That way, your South American flavour journey can go on and on.
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Explore our range of organic mate in loose-leaf form: green mate, traditional mate, and fruity blends (orange, pomegranate, mango-guava). Certified organic, delivered across mainland France.
