¿Why should we cure the mate?
To prevent a gourd mate from cracking when new, it must be cured. This process will also prevent external flavors from being transfered to the yerba. To do this, you have to follow a very simple technique.
GREEN STAINS ON THE MATE?
What to do if the mate has moisture?
When black or green spots appear, we recommend that you fill it with very hot water and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, you have to take the water off, and with a spoon scrape it to remove all the moisture, mold and parts that look black.
Once the layer of moisture has come off, rinse well and let dry.
Leave it with a napkin or a little bit of yerba on the inside walls of the mate so that it absorbs the humidity (face up).
What to do if the mate has fungus?
The fungi in mate usually appears in the form of a white coating. To clean a wood or gourd mate with fungus, it is necessary to wash it thoroughly with a brush, soap and hot water. After this, we dry it very well and proceed to fill the walls of the mate with ethyl alcohol and light them with fire. This will remove any traces of fungus that are left.
¿HOW TO CURE MY MATE?
Gourd mates:
1. We fill it with yerba (new or used) and put hot water on it.
2. Always keep the yerba moist (we recommend adding more water if necessary a few hours later)
3. After 24 hours change the yerba and repeat the process.
4. Scrape the inside walls of the mate with a spoon to remove the woody stem.
5. Rinse the mate and use it!
Wood mates:
There are two techniques that we recommend:
1. Spread them well with butter, oil or beef fat, so the mate does not crack or accumulate moisture.
2. Wash very well and fill the mate with the used yerba. Then moisten it constantly with warm water for 24 hours; repeating this process two or three days
How do I take care of my mate?
After using it, remove the yerba, rinse with water and allow to dry face up with a napkin. Leaving it upside down can lead to moisture inside and ruin the gourd.
Option 2:
After using it, remove most of the yerba but without rinsing, leaving the small remnants of yerba inside to dry on their own when placing the mate face up. This helps absorb moisture.
The bombilla.
¿How to clean the bombilla?
It is recommended to wash it thoroughly once a month, immersing it in boiling water for 30 minutes (You can also add some baking soda). Then it is necessary to clean it with a small and thin brush to remove the remains of yerba mate.
BENEFITS OF DRINKING MATE
1. It is an antioxidant.
Yerba mate has a high content of polyphenols, which improve the body's natural defenses and prevent cellular aging, often accelerated by the stress of daily life.
2. It prevent illnesses.
By preventing bad cholesterol and triglycerides from accumulating in the arteries, drinking mate reduces the risk of suffering from arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases; and increases HDL cholesterol, known as "good cholesterol," which protects against heart attacks.
3. Purifies your body.
It has a diuretic and moderately laxative effect, therefore it prevents fluid retention and improves the development of kidney function. Thus, it helps the body eliminate toxins and purify itself naturally.
4. Provides vitamins and minerals.
Yerba mate contains B vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
5. Nutritional Supplement
Yerba mate is naturally composed of almost all the micronutrients that the body needs. Its regular intake represents a host of benefits that improve the immune system in general, detoxify the body and prevent many diseases.
6. It is a natural energizer.
Thanks to its percentage of caffeine, it increases stimulation and concentration just like coffee.