Yerba Mate Tea Set - GymBeam

The Yerba Mate tea set provides everything you need to prepare maté, a South American drink made from dried yerba mate leaves. The set includes a 350 ml ceramic calabash and a stainless steel bombilla.

The calabash is the vessel from which you drink maté, while the bombilla serves as both a straw and a filter, thanks to its built-in strainer. The leaves therefore remain in the vessel, so you do not need to strain them.

Maté can be enjoyed over several refills. Always pour the water onto the same side. One serving of leaves lasts for approximately five to ten refills before the flavour weakens. You will know it is time to replace the leaves when the drink loses its bitterness and begins to taste watery.

If you store the calabash in a cool place, let it sit at room temperature for a while before filling it for the first time. Sudden changes in temperature can damage the ceramic, and the lukewarm water used in the fourth step will warm it gradually.

A natural calabash gourd needs to be prepared before its first use. Fill it with moist yerba, pour hot water over it and let it stand for twenty-four hours. Then empty it, scrape out any residue and repeat the entire process. Only then should you let it dry. Without this preparation, it would absorb water, leak and impart its own aroma to the drink. After every use, you must empty it and let it dry with the opening facing up; otherwise, it will develop mold.

A ceramic gourd requires none of this. It does not absorb flavors or aromas, so you can use it for different types of yerba. It does not develop mold, so you do not need to worry about any damp yerba left inside. It is also easy to clean by rinsing.