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Share the ritual of the gourd

Argentina

Share the ritual of the gourd

A gourd, a bombilla straw and yerba to share Argentina's daily ritual.

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The collection

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A large mate set on a light background Large mate set$89.00 A mate gift box on a light background Mate gift box$129.00 A mate sharing set on a light background Mate sharing set$99.00 A single mate cup with a bombilla on a light background Single mate cup$32.00 A bag of premium yerba mate on a light background Premium yerba mate$34.00 A bag of unsmoked yerba mate on a light background Unsmoked yerba mate$24.00 A bag of smooth yerba mate on a light background Smooth yerba mate$22.00 A ceramic mate gourd on a light background Ceramic mate gourd$62.00

Our story

More than a drink, a way of passing time

In Argentina, mate is not just a drink — it is how people pause, share and talk. A gourd is filled with yerba mate, hot water is poured over it, and the same gourd and bombilla straw are passed from hand to hand, each person sipping in turn. Mate Alto kits bring that ritual home: a gourd, a bombilla straw and a bag of yerba, ready to brew your first mate. It is a gentle, bitter, herbaceous brew with its own pace — one to take slowly, and one to share.

Where it comes from

Argentina

A gourd, a bombilla straw and yerba to share Argentina's daily ritual.

What
Yerba mate starter kits
Made for
Traditional energy drink
Region
Latin America

How it's made

The yerba is dried and aged from the leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, cut and packed in Argentina. The gourd is a dried, hollowed fruit or a crafted wooden cup, and the bombilla is a metal straw with a filter at the base that strains the leaves as you sip.

How to use it

Fill the gourd about two-thirds full with yerba, tilt it and pour in a little warm water, then sip through the bombilla. Add more warm water as you go, sharing the gourd as tradition calls. Use water just off the boil, not boiling, to keep the brew smooth.

Good to know

Can I share it?

Sharing is the whole point. In Argentina, one gourd and bombilla are passed around, each person sipping in turn — it is a ritual of company and conversation, not just a drink.

Is the gourd easy to care for?

Yes. Rinse it after use, leave it to dry, and occasionally give it a deeper clean. Wooden and ceramic gourds both last well with simple care.

What does it taste like?

It is a gentle, bitter, herbaceous brew with a grassy note. The flavour ranges from smooth and mild to strong and smoky depending on the cut and how the yerba is aged.

How do I brew my first mate?

Fill the gourd two-thirds full with yerba, tilt it, pour in a little warm (not boiling) water, and sip through the bombilla. Add more warm water as you go, sharing the gourd as tradition calls.

Is it a medicine or a stimulant?

No. It is a traditional herbal drink with a naturally occurring caffeine-like compound, similar to coffee or tea. It is not a medicine and not intended to address any condition.

What is yerba mate?

It is a traditional South American drink made by steeping the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant in hot water. It is brewed in a gourd and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla.

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