How to Cure a Maté Gourd:

Clean the Gourd:
Rinse the gourd with warm water to remove dust.

Add Used Maté Leaves:
Fill the gourd halfway with used maté leaves (or fresh, dry ones if you don’t have used).

Soak the Leaves:
Pour hot water (not boiling) into the gourd and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Let It Sit for 24 Hours:
Leave the gourd with the leaves and water inside for 24 hours.

Scrape the Inside:
Dump the water and leaves, then gently scrape the inside with a spoon to remove pulp.

Rinse and Dry:
Rinse the gourd with warm water and dry it completely with a towel.

Final Drying:
Let the gourd dry for a day or two in a well-ventilated area.

Ready to Use:
Once dry, your gourd is ready for maté!

Fill the Gourd:

Fill your maté gourd about halfway with loose yerba maté leaves (tilt the gourd to about a 45-degree angle).

Add Hot Water:

Pour hot water (around 140-160°F or 60-70°C, not boiling) into the bottom of the gourd, just enough to soak the leaves. Let it sit for a minute to steep.

Insert the Straw (Bombilla):

After the water has soaked in, gently insert the straw (bombilla) into the gourd, making sure it stays in contact with the wet leaves.

Drink the Maté:

Sip from the bombilla, and enjoy! Once you finish, don’t remove the straw—just refill with hot water and repeat as many times as you'd like.

Refill and Share (Optional):

If you're sharing, pass the gourd to the next person. Each time, just refill the gourd with more hot water and continue drinking.