If you've just bought a calabash or wooden mate, there's a step many beginners skip — and that can ruin their mate forever: curing it. Using it uncured makes it taste like raw squash, crack with heat, or grow mold very quickly. The good news is that curing a mate is easy and only takes a day.
What is Curing a Mate and Why is it Necessary?
Curing a mate is the process of preparing the inside of the vessel for contact with hot water and yerba. Calabash and wooden mates are porous — uncured, they absorb water unevenly, can crack, or develop internal mold. Curing seals the pores, eliminates the initial raw taste, and extends the mate's lifespan for several years.
Stainless steel, silicone, or glass mates DO NOT need curing — you can use them right away.
How to Cure a Calabash Mate (Classic Method with Yerba)
This is the most effective traditional method:
Materials you need:
- Your new calabash mate
- One tablespoon of used yerba mate (or new yerba)
- Hot water at 70-80°C (158-176°F)
- A small spoon or wooden stick
- A napkin or dry cloth
Step 1: Fill the mate with wet yerba
Fill the mate up to 3/4 with dry yerba mate. Then add hot water (not boiling) until all the yerba is moistened. Let it sit for 12 hours (you can leave it overnight). During this time, the wet and hot yerba will expand and seal the inside of the calabash.
Step 2: Carefully scrape the inside
After 12 hours, empty the mate. With a small spoon or the bombilla handle, gently scrape the inside to remove the white layer and internal fibers of the calabash. Do not press hard — just remove what comes off easily.
Step 3: Dry thoroughly and repeat if necessary
Rinse the inside with warm water (no soap), dry it upside down on a napkin, and let it air dry for 24 hours before the first use. If the calabash taste persists, repeat the process one more time.
How to Cure a Wooden Mate
The process is similar but requires more care, as wood can crack from thermal shock:
- Rub the inside with a cotton ball soaked in neutral vegetable oil (coconut or sunflower). Let it sit for 2 hours.
- Wipe off excess oil with a dry cloth.
- Fill with wet yerba (lukewarm water, not hot) and let it sit for 6 hours.
- Empty, dry, and let it air dry upside down for 24 hours.
How to Maintain your Mate so it Lasts for Years?
- 🌀 After each use: Empty the yerba, rinse with water, and let it dry upside down. Never store it wet.
- 🚫 Never use soap: Soap penetrates the pores and gives it a permanent unpleasant taste.
- ☀️ Store it in a dry place: Prolonged humidity is the main cause of mold in calabash mates.
- 🍄 Got mold? Clean with a mixture of lemon and salt, rinse thoroughly, and let it dry completely in the sun.
Calabash, Wood, or Steel? Which Mate to Choose?
| Material | Needs Curing? | Lifespan | Flavor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calabash | ✅ Yes | 2-5 years | Adds unique earthy flavor |
| Wood | ✅ Yes | 3-7 years | Smooth, natural flavor |
| Stainless Steel | ❌ No | 10+ years | Pure yerba flavor |
| Glass / Ceramic | ❌ No | Variable | Very pure flavor |
Find Your Perfect Mate in Our Store
We have pre-cured calabash mates, double-walled stainless steel mates, and complete gift kits. All include a bombilla and fast shipping to Mexico and the United States.
Questions about your mate? Write to us — we'll be happy to help you take care of it.