Accessories
However magic the drink, it would not exist without the vessel, in which it is prepared. A rather significant place in many legends and stories about mate is given to the vessel, that is, the calabash gourd. The gourd is traditionally made from a bottle shaped pumpkin. It can also be elaborately carved in wood or made from more expensive materials. Sometimes gourd is decorated with ornaments, covered with leather, encrusted with gold, silver and precious stones. But many prefer simple pumpkin without decorations.
Due to the fact that this type of pumpkin is porous inside and firm on the outside, it lets oxygen through. Whilst brewing in the pumpkin, mate is enriched with it, and on entering the human body oxygenates the blood. Also, the porous surface of the vessel absorbs and exhibits a deep, rich flavour of mate. It is believed that drinking mate out of the gourd is the best way to get all of its beneficial and invigorating properties.
Almost for all ancient peoples the vessel is a form of cult. The vessel can not only hold something, but also transform it and create something new. In the vessel mate gets its magical properties. A very important quality of the gourd is its ability to keep the energy space, not only within the vessel, but also around it. The strength of mate combined in gourd with the energy field of the human helps to achieve harmony with the universe. Therefore, the gourd should be held in such a way as if you were holding the force. This is where the energy originates.
In order to drink mate from the gourd you need a bombilla – a special tube-filter, which prevents the leaf material from getting in the mouth. Initially, an ordinary straw was used instead of bombilla. Eventually it passed a number of significant changes and as a result has become an indispensable tool for mate drinking. Modern bombilla consists of three parts: tip, which is in contact with the lips, the cylindrical tube and the filter. Unlike wood, the use of metal bombilla is in compliance with the standards of hygiene. Today, bombilla is made of an alloy of nickel silver - metal composition, similar to silver or stainless steel, bronze, silver, and nickel. Made from such durable materials, it can serve for many years.
Bombilla doesn’t just serve as a link between a gourd and a man. It determines the tempo of mate drinking, its relation with breathing, and therefore, the process of assimilation of the drink. Bombilla is a conductor of energy; it transmits the power of mate to the man.
For centuries, Indians of South America were drinking mate, using gourd and bombilla. Mate is poured in the gourd, bombilla is inserted, and gourd filled with water. It looks like a magical ritual. It is great, when you like the accessories used for drinking mate, and the situation and mate itself correspond to your idea of perfect and harmonious. Mate drinking is an ancient ceremony, according to it, the drink is used in complete relaxation and harmony.
Due to the fact that this type of pumpkin is porous inside and firm on the outside, it lets oxygen through. Whilst brewing in the pumpkin, mate is enriched with it, and on entering the human body oxygenates the blood. Also, the porous surface of the vessel absorbs and exhibits a deep, rich flavour of mate. It is believed that drinking mate out of the gourd is the best way to get all of its beneficial and invigorating properties.
Almost for all ancient peoples the vessel is a form of cult. The vessel can not only hold something, but also transform it and create something new. In the vessel mate gets its magical properties. A very important quality of the gourd is its ability to keep the energy space, not only within the vessel, but also around it. The strength of mate combined in gourd with the energy field of the human helps to achieve harmony with the universe. Therefore, the gourd should be held in such a way as if you were holding the force. This is where the energy originates.
In order to drink mate from the gourd you need a bombilla – a special tube-filter, which prevents the leaf material from getting in the mouth. Initially, an ordinary straw was used instead of bombilla. Eventually it passed a number of significant changes and as a result has become an indispensable tool for mate drinking. Modern bombilla consists of three parts: tip, which is in contact with the lips, the cylindrical tube and the filter. Unlike wood, the use of metal bombilla is in compliance with the standards of hygiene. Today, bombilla is made of an alloy of nickel silver - metal composition, similar to silver or stainless steel, bronze, silver, and nickel. Made from such durable materials, it can serve for many years.
Bombilla doesn’t just serve as a link between a gourd and a man. It determines the tempo of mate drinking, its relation with breathing, and therefore, the process of assimilation of the drink. Bombilla is a conductor of energy; it transmits the power of mate to the man.
For centuries, Indians of South America were drinking mate, using gourd and bombilla. Mate is poured in the gourd, bombilla is inserted, and gourd filled with water. It looks like a magical ritual. It is great, when you like the accessories used for drinking mate, and the situation and mate itself correspond to your idea of perfect and harmonious. Mate drinking is an ancient ceremony, according to it, the drink is used in complete relaxation and harmony.
Preparation of gourd
Before the first use it is necessary to prepare the gourd. Properly prepared gourd will help to unfold the unique taste and aroma of the drink. The gourd is filled with mate on 3/4, then filled with hot water and left for 24 hours. Do not leave the gourd for longer - leaves can become mouldy and the gourd unusable. After a day, the infusion is poured out, and the white pumpkin fibres inside the gourd are gently scraped out with a teaspoon. After that, gourd has to be fully dried. Now it is ready for use.
Taking care of the gourd
In order for a gourd to serve for a long time, it has to be cleaned from leaves after each use, rinsed with water and well dried. When washing gourd, don’t use any soap and detergent, because the porous surface of the gourd has absorbent properties. It will spoil the gourd and the taste of mate brewed in it.
With daily use, special care of gourd is not required; it can start to deteriorate only if it's left for a few days in a row with wet leaves inside.
From time to time it is useful to sear the gourd inside, for that one can use a heated red hot teaspoon.
Taking care of the bombilla
In order for bombilla not to get clogged, it must be kept clean. After each use, the bombilla has to be rinsed with water. From time to time it is useful to clean it more deeply. This can be done by boiling it for 10 minutes in a solution of soda or cauterizing on an open fire.