Mate Gourd

If you are looking to buy a mate gourd. I have found a site that has a pretty good selection with some nice prize ranges check out the link. Mate Gourd.

There are several types of mate gourds and cups  that are made from materials ranging from woods to precious metals. What your mate gourd is made of will greatly affect its taste and longevity.

For example, if you use a traditional gourd it can be cured in several different ways that can give it a distinct flavor, however, if not well cared for can mold and develop a sour taste.

A wooden gourd is surprisingly delicate and if not cured properly can crack through the expansion of the yerba. However, because a wooden mate gourd is so porous it holds the flavor of the liquid that was used to cure it. This is a nice attribute to many experienced mate drinkers that like to add a slight flavor to their gourd.

Often times wooden mate gourds come covered, wrapped, or plated in many different materials to make it look nicer. Bear in mind that when it is it retains water and doesn’t dry as quickly which increasing the chances of rotting and molding if not cared for.

A metal or plastic gourd has many benefits like being easy to maintain and very difficult to break. It also provides a very crisp taste. Keep in mind these types of mate gourds can be impractical by being too hot to handle. Although some mate drinkers prefer metal or plastic mate gourds most prefer the more flavorful taste of a mate gourd made from organic materials.

A traditional dried mate gourd comes from the actual “gourd” vegetable and is hardened through drying process. Thus getting the name “dried mate gourd”. Traditional dried mate gourds which are popular for more reasons than just tradition are the most commonly used mate gourds.

Aside from looking cool and authentic, a dried gourd is very resilient and has the benefit of retaining the tastes and flavors of the liquids that are used during the curing process. Like any mate gourd, they should be well cared for and maintained often. To avoid molding, you can even re-cure it every few weeks to keep a nice flavor and avoid molding or rotting.

If you are looking for a mate gourd this site (Mate Gourd) has a great selection and some pretty good prices.

-Ronald

www.mategourd.org