That's it, you've bought your traditional mate discovery kit , and there, surprise, your calabash has "shavings" inside and doesn't seem to be cleaned! Don't worry, this is completely normal ! According to South American tradition, it is up to you to prepare your calabash to receive its first mate ! Each calabash is unique and we explain here the procedure to follow so that everything goes well! Ready to cure your 1st mate ?
1. What is a calabash?
A calabash is quite simply the traditional container in which mate is drunk , in Argentina, when we talk about mate we are talking about the drink itself as well as the calabash! This word therefore refers to the drink but also to the calabash.
The most commonly used gourd comes from a plant, the lagenaria , part of the Cucurbitaceae family (it is therefore a squash, or a gourd).
To make the gourd, the fruit will be cut widthwise once it has finished growing, then decorated! We also add a small metal crown to make drinking mate more practical. Each fruit being unique, all calabashes are different! You will therefore find many sizes and shapes of mate to choose from (long ones, tall ones, in short, something for all tastes)!
➡ How we select our calabashes to have a quality mate:
The shape : it must always have a narrow base and a wide mouth (so that the yerba mate is not too wet during infusion).
Thickness : The gourd must have a good thickness (thick and robust walls) so that it does not break easily and so that it lasts over time.
The inner stem : The knot or button at the base must face outwards and not inwards (simply to allow the mate to dry well and avoid mold)
Finally , if you decide to choose a gourd with a support (often metal feet) like some Argentinians, take care that the feet are well closed (as in the photo below)!
2. How to cure mate before its first use?
What does curing mate mean?
Curing mate means preparing the container before its very first use, so that it is suitable for consumption.
This is an essential step in the process of preparing mate, which all Argentinians do when purchasing a traditional calabash!
Important: A calabash only needs to be cured once, just before preparing your first mate in it, there is no need to do it every time you drink a mate, don't worry!
How to cure a traditional mate gourd:
1. Completely fill the gourd with very hot water.
2. Leave the calabash filled with water for 2 hours (to soften the interior walls).
3. Drain the water then gently scrape the interior walls of the calabash using a spoon. Scrape the inside to remove the skin , membranes or fragments of the woody stem of your gourd.
4. Once the walls are smooth, rinse the gourd well to remove all the small pieces of skin remaining from the fruit.
5. Finally, let the gourd dry on its side (never upside down) for about a day.
6. Your calabash is dry and clean, ready to receive its first infusion, you can drink your first mate !
3. I have black/green spots in my mate, what are they?
No problem, it's completely normal and it's even a good sign!
It is simply a thin layer of mate leaves which, through infusion, have lined the wall of your gourd.
Important: This type of stain is not mold ! The mate infusion is a dark green color, which will then color your calabash and make it completely unique.
Positive point: The more mate you drink in your calabash, the better it will be! Indeed, as explained above, the yerba leaves will line the walls of your calabash and make your mates even better as they are used. (like a casserole in which we always make the same dish, the container is an integral part of the recipe)
As you can see, a black spot in your gourd does not necessarily mean that fungus has developed in your mate.
You can indeed be concerned when you see a stain, but as long as you don't see a little white foam , nor smell a worrying odor, you don't need to worry, it's not mold and your gourd is fine!
4. How do I know if my mate is poorly cured?
How to differentiate between completely normal mate stains and mold stains?
First clue: color
Indeed, if the appearance of the spots in your mate becomes white (like small spots), it is possible that your gourd has developed fungus.
In this case, don't panic, your gourd can still be recovered, don't throw it away!
1. We advise you to empty your calabash and fill the container with boiled water to the top (without touching the metal ring) and let it sit for a few minutes.
2. Next, discard the water and gently scrape with a small spoon until you remove all the black layer remaining inside.
Repeat the process until all the foam is gone , then let the gourd dry for 24 hours, head side up (to let the air inside).
3. Better to be safe: to avoid the formation of fungus , as soon as you have finished drinking, clean the calabash well and wash it in hot water to remove all the small leaves of yerba mate .
4. Then dry the interior with absorbent paper or a clean, dry cloth, and make sure there are no moisture problems.
5. Alternatives
This calabash does not need any maintenance , robust and double-walled, you can take it anywhere with you! Traditional or stainless steel calabash : the preparation of the mate is identical , the only difference is once your mate is finished, with the stainless steel container you don't have to do anything except rinse it with hot water! It is therefore a good alternative to traditional mate if you are short on time or are often on the move.
And There you go ! You know everything about mate and how to cure a traditional calabash before its first use. All these tips should help you from the moment you purchase your calabash but also over time, to properly maintain your mate and allow you to enjoy all the benefits of this drink !
Ready to prepare your first mate ? To learn how to consume it like a real Matero , click here: learn how to prepare your traditional Matero like a pro !
