Can too hot water cause the mate gourd to break?
I just got back from Argentina with three mate gourds and started to prepare them for first use (put the yerba, add cold water and leave for ~1 day, I was told, is the first thing to do).
To my surprise, the first one started leaking right during that first day, and the other two cracked during the first session - one of them is wooden, the other one made of actual gourd.
So my question is, is this just bad luck or could it be because of some mistake in the how I prepared it - for instance, using water that's too hot?
Best Answer
I don't think it's your fault. Mates don't break that often. Besides, I've seen a lot of people drink it hotter than me without any problems.
As for preparation, it was recommended to me the following:
- Place the leaves in the mate
- Add a little bit of cold water
- Add hot water
When and how you put the straw is a whole other chapter!
Pictures about "Can too hot water cause the mate gourd to break?"
Quick Answer about "Can too hot water cause the mate gourd to break?"
If you planned on curing your wooden gourd the traditional way – with hot water and yerba – you might be in for some trouble. The water you use could be too hot and potentially crack your new gourd. It can also be at risk for mold as you're leaving wet leaves inside of it for at least 12-24 hours.Can you boil water in a gourd?
Fill the gourd half-way with Yerba Mate. Pour hot (not boiling) water into the gourd until it is full. Warning: boiling water may crack your gourd.How do you break in mate gourd?
Fill the gourd with warm water. The water should not be boiling because boiling water will leave you with a gourd split into multiple pieces. Leave it for 20 minutes. Scrape the fleshy interior off with a spoon.How do you wash yerba mate gourd?
Taking Care of Your Yerba Mate KitHow long do mate gourds last?
If you take good care of it, clean it after every use, and prevent mold from forming, a mate gourd can last you practically your whole life. Even though my gourd is 2+ years old, it still works like new. The only difference is it lost some color on the outside.STOP! You Don't have to Cure your Yerba Mate Gourd. Learn Why.
More answers regarding can too hot water cause the mate gourd to break?
Answer 2
The best way to cure a mate is to boil it in milk. fill a deep pan with milk and wipe butter around the inside of your mate. place it in the pan of milk slowly bring the milk to a boil with your mate cup inside. let boil for a few minutes than you can take it out and let sit over night in the morning you can rinse it out with hot hot tap water, and your good to go.
I cant tell you how many I have cracked by trying to cure it the "argentine way", actualy i can 5 3 palo santo wooden mates and 2 clay ones. Since the new way I have had 0 problems. If you want a 50 50 chance of a good cure than to it the conventional way, or do it my way which was taught to me by an argentine. It was his family tradition to cure it the way I do now.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Andrea Piacquadio, Uriel Mont, Andrea Piacquadio, Uriel Mont