Yerba Mate Tea Set - GymBeam

The Yerba Mate tea set contains everything you need to prepare mate, 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 mate is drunk, while the bombilla serves as both a straw and a filter, thanks to its built-in strainer. The leaves stay in the vessel, so you do not need to strain them.

You can refill maté several times. Always pour the water onto the same side. One serving lasts for approximately five to ten refills before the flavor fades. You will know it is time to replace it when the drink is no longer bitter and starts 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 temperature changes are not good for the ceramic, and the lukewarm water in step four will warm it gradually.

A natural calabash gourd needs to be prepared before its first use. Fill it with damp yerba mate, pour hot water over it, and leave it to stand for 24 hours. Then empty it, scrape out any residue, and repeat the entire process. Only then should you leave it to dry. Without this preparation, it would absorb water, leak, and impart its own flavour to the drink. After each use, you must empty it and leave it to dry with the opening facing upwards; otherwise, mould will develop.

Ceramic requires none of this. It does not absorb flavours or aromas, so you can use it for different varieties of yerba mate. It does not develop mould, so you do not need to worry about any damp leaves left inside. It is also easy to clean with a rinse.