Traditional drinking vessel for mate tea, also called calabashes.
Capacity approx. 1.5 to 2 dl.
You should prepare the drinking vessel before the first use to remove the astringent taste of the mate. At the same time, see if the mate drinking vessel is waterproof:
Fill the mate cup to about 2/3 full with yerba mate and warm water. Let stand for a few hours or overnight, 24 hours max. Since the pumpkin absorbs water, you may need to add water.
Then empty out the yerba mate and water, scrape out the remains of the pumpkin flesh with a spoon, and let the pumpkin air dry thoroughly. After this preparation, the inside color of the mate cup will be green to dark green or possibly even black. This color is normal and is not rot. Sometimes this procedure needs to be repeated a second time.
Tip: Place your mate cup in a soup plate or bowl for this preparation. Since it is a natural product, the mate cup may leak. If the cup leaks, let it dry completely and repeat the preparation again.
