Curing the Gourd

Curing
A mate gourd is a gift from the Earth. It is a dried, hollowed-out vegetable gourd (Lagenaria vulgaris) that has been hand-carved with great care by an artist. To ensure a long life: Do not drop your gourd. Always be sure to rinse out your gourd when you are done using it, and let it dry completely. A soggy gourd will become weak and could tear or mold. A mate gourd is “un companero de la vida” (a companion for life). If you protect it, it will protect you.

A well-cured gourd will bring out Guayakí’s deep, rich flavor.

1. Gently scrape the inside of the gourd with the tip of the bombilla to clean the loose gourd particles.
2. Fill the gourd half-full with dry loose yerba maté.
3. Add very hot water and let stand for two days.
4. Gently scrape the gourd out again.
5. Finally, put the cleaned-out gourd in the sunlight for a day or two until it is completely dry.

Quick Cure Method: simply begin using your gourd, it will cure in time.

-- content from Guayaki