The Matera or Matero Bag
14/09/2022Prepare a good mate
25/07/2023But why is it so important to cure mate?
The gourd, being one of the most popular materials for making mates, requires a curing process before its first use. This process consists of preparing the gourd properly so that it is ready to receive the yerba mate and maintain its flavor and properties for a long time.
The importance of curing mate lies in several key factors. First, curing seals the natural pores of the gourd, preventing liquids from seeping in and the yerba from escaping during use. This is essential to guarantee an airtight mate that allows you to enjoy the infusion without wasting a drop. In addition, curing helps to avoid bad flavors or odors that could be transmitted to the infusion if the pumpkin is not properly prepared.
Another crucial benefit of curing mate is that moistening the inner walls with hot water and yerba mate before first use begins the process of absorbing characteristic flavors. The gourd, being in contact with the yerba and hot water, impregnates its porosity with the natural essences of yerba mate, creating a unique flavor that improves with each barley. This authentic and distinctive flavor is highly valued by mate lovers, as it reflects the very identity of this Argentine cultural tradition.
Additionally, curing also contributes to the durability and strength of the gourd. By moistening it previously, the wood is prevented from drying out excessively and cracking over time, thus ensuring a longer useful life of the mate. Likewise, adequate curing allows the gourd to maintain the water temperature more effectively, keeping the mate hot for longer.
How is mate cured?
Curing the mate is a simple but important process to properly prepare the gourd before its first use. Next, I present the steps to cure the gourd mate:
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Initial cleaning: Begin by washing the gourd with warm water and a soft brush to remove any dirt or impurities that may be present on its surface.
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Filled with yerba mate: Once the gourd is clean, fill it about two-thirds full with yerba mate. Be sure to cover the inside walls well with the weed.
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Moisten the grass: Next, pour hot water into the gourd (remember that the water always has to be between 60 and 80 degrees, no more so that the mate does not wash away), avoiding that it reaches the ferrule inside or the mouth of the mate (This is done so that the water does not exceed the ferrule and gets between the gourd and the leather, so it does not stain). Let the hot water soak into the yerba and sit for 18 to 24 hours. The ideal is to repeat it 3 days to cure it well.
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Waste the grass: After the yerba has rested in the hot water, discard it. This step is important to remove any debris or particles that may have stuck to the inside walls of the gourd during curing.
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Do not rinse with hot water but clean it with a napkin: After discarding the yerba, it is not necessary to rinse the gourd well with hot water to remove any remaining yerba and clean it completely, the ideal is to clean it with a napkin even if a little yerba remains attached to the inside walls.
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drying: Finally, let the pumpkin dry completely in the open air and thanks to the help of the napkin. Avoid exposing it directly to the sun or using heat sources, as this can affect its shape and durability. As explained above, the ideal is to do it a minimum of 3 days in a row.
Once you have completed these steps, your gourd mate will be properly cured and ready to be used. Remember that this process helps to seal the pores of the pumpkin, avoiding leaks and improving the flavor of the infusion. Enjoy your mate with the certainty that it is adequately prepared to give you an authentic and satisfying experience. To share the mate with friends and family in true Argentine tradition!
So the answer to why is it important to cure a mate before its first use?
This process is essential to guarantee an airtight mate, without unwanted flavors or odors, and to create a characteristic and authentic flavor that improves with each barley. Curing the mate is a gesture of respect towards this ancestral tradition and a way of preserving its essence and cultural richness over time. Enjoying a properly cured mate is immersing yourself in the very essence of gaucho culture and living a truly unique experience!
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