Shamila Maté Calabaza

A traditional maté calabaza gourd from Argentina made of a hollowed out pumpkin skin. It is the most commonly used type of mate gourd in Argentina and is simple and ideal for daily use.

As it is a natural product, the sizes and colours will vary. While using the gourd a discolouration of the pumpkin takes place. This is a natural process which occurs through the absorption of the yerba maté.

All measurements are indicative as every pumpkin shell is slightly different.

How to cure a natural pumpkin shell maté gourd:

1. Wash the interior of the gourd with warm water
2. Fill the gourd with moist yerba (it can be yerba that has already been used), add warm water and leave to sit
3. The following day, remove the yerba and with a small spoon gently scrape the inside of the gourd to remove any loose material that may exist
4. Repeat this process from the beginning without washing the interior of the gourd...3 or 4 times will be sufficient to fully cure the gourd

Warning: Do not pour boiling water into an unused or very dry gourd as there is a high risk of it cracking. Boiling water also damages your Yerba Mate and you can burn yourself in the mouth.