Yerba Mate Leaf Only vs. the stems of Traditional, Straight Spoon Bombilla vs. a curved Spring Bombilla, or maybe you wonder about a wood gourd versus a natural gourd?

 Yerba Mate: Buying Guide

There are two items which maximizes the benefits of the Yerba Mate: Special Gourd and Bombilla.The shape of the gourd compresses the Yerba Mate around the Bombilla, allowing the maximum extraction of the helpful nutrients. ,The Gourd and Bombilla are fundamental, time-proven tools, which have benefited Yerba Mate drinking cultures for centuries. It is considered the 'Traditional Method'.

YerbaCup (Gourd/Bombilla/Thermos Alternative)

For many, the YerbaCup is the easiest way to enjoy the traditional method, because it includes a built in gourd and bombilla, as well as the added benefit of a built in water chamber (thermos that "serves" the water onto the Yerba Mate in the gourd). It is convenient for travel or work, but not as perfect as using the traditional Special Gourd and Bombilla.

Selecting Yerba Mate

Whether you choose the Traditional Method or the newer YerbaCup, you will need to select a style of Yerba Mate.

Traditional Yerba Mate with Stems (Con Palos):

* Stems reduce bitterness.
* Is easier to prepare, as the stems protect the bombilla from clogging.
* Is available in many different flavors like orange, lemon, and grapefruit. ,Explore our ‘How To Use’ instructions for a complete list of flavors that compliment Yerba Mate, or browse our flavored Yerba Mate selections.

Yerba Mate without Stems: Leaf Only (Sin Palo or Despalada):

* Leaves contain the most nutrients.
* Produces more compression around the bombilla, allowing for better nutrient extraction.
* Is available in mint flavor.

Recommending a brand of Yerba Mate is much like recommending a blend of coffee, each person looks for different qualities. Call us toll-free if you have any Yerba Mate questions.

Choosing a Gourd

Maximum Yerba Mate benefits are contributed to by the shape of the gourd, which compresses the Yerba Mate in order to both create suction and control the release of the nutrients. There are both 'natural Wood Gourds' and 'natural Gourd Gourds'.

Wood Gourds:

* Very stable, flat, wooden or metal bases.
* Do not need to be cured, so they are ready for use right away. Great for both beginners and seasoned drinkers.
* Easiest to keep clean.
* Add a pleasant flavor to the Yerba Mate from their first use, whereas non-wood gourds require time to develop their flavor enhancing properties.

Natural Gourds:

* Over time, natural gourds absorb and return the most flavors to the Yerba Mate, forming a “memory” of what the drinker likes. ,Thus, the owner of a natural gourd crafts a unique and pleasant flavor using their favorite Yerba Mates and flavor additives.
* Better than any other type of gourd at subduing the natural bitterness of Yerba Mate.
* Need to be cured before use, so that the flavor of the gourd does not overpower the yerba mate.
* Best for seasoned mate drinkers.

Choosing a Bombilla

A Yerba Mate Bombilla is more than just a "straw". It works in conjunction with the gourd to create a process of extraction. There are two basic types: 'Spoon End Bombillas' and 'Spring End Bombillas'.

Spoon End Bombillas:

* Extract the most nutrients.
* Are able to ,scoop the Yerba Mate out of the gourd when done.
* Come in a large variety of styles, including the finest handcrafted designs by Argentinean artisans.
* Are available with gold tips: The gold is not for glamour, it protects the lips from the heat of the bombilla.

Spring End Bombillas:

* Are easier to use with leaf only varieties.
* Do not clog as easily.
* Can be removed from a full gourd and easily reinserted without clogging.
* Work well even if the gourd of Yerba Mate is prepared poorly.

Bombillas come straight, curved, long and short. All work equally well, but the short variety should only be used with small natural gourds because it provides better balance from its lower center of gravity.

Yerba Mate Tea Bags (Saquitas)

Small, 3 gram Yerba Mate bags are available for soaking in water and drinking. They give off a hint of the flavor and some of the stimulant properties can be enjoyed. The experience of soaking 3 grams of Yerba Mate can not be compared to the Traditional Method's experience of extracting the nutrients from over 40 grams of compressed Yerba Mate. That being said, we often enjoy the flavor and subtle uplift that one gets from soaking even a tiny 3grams of the precious herb in 8 oz of hot water.

Enjoy Yerba Mate!

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