Preparing Your Gourd

How much herb do you put in a gourd?

Adjusting the Ratio

How much should you put in your gourd? Stick around, and I’ll provide you with all the information you need to enjoy a refreshing cup, tailored to your taste preferences. So grab your gourd, and let’s dive in! Adjust the ratio to find your preferred strength. Leave space to allow water flow regulation. Personal preference plays a key role in adjusting to enhance your drinking experience.

Potential Side Effects

What happens if you consume way too much at once? Depending on the gourd size and amount used, this can range from 10 to 30 refills. So you can keep reusing. Below are some things to consider:

  • Do you need to rotate gourds? It’s nothing more than a safety measure to prevent mold growth. But it’s not mandatory.
  • The ideal brewing temperature is 170°F (77°C). Using boiling water will produce a bitter drink.
  • There are 4 main components: the gourd, herb, hot water and a bombilla. The gourd requires attention and skill. But it helps connect us.

With a French press you can easily adjust strength by steeping time from 1 to 3 minutes. Wooden gourds impart flavor but steel and ceramic don’t absorb the flavors well.

How do you drink from a gourd?

To drink traditionally, you need a gourd, loose leaves, a metal straw, and hot water. Put leaves in the gourd, add hot water, and sip through the straw. The gourd is passed around in a circle, with one person refilling it with hot water 10-20 times. Things to consider:

  • use water around 170°F to avoid bitterness;
  • fill the gourd halfway and shake leaves to the top for optimal flavor;
  • limit consumption to 2-3 drinks per day.

Adjust the ratio to customize strength and taste.

By Preference

How much should I put in my cup?

It depends on your preference for strength. Fill to the brim for more intensity. Leave space for water flow control. Adjusting the to water ratio customizes the taste. Experiment to find your ideal amount.

By Region

The recommended ratio of to water depends on personal preference. Traditional Argentinean is brewed with a 1:1 ratio.

By Brew Method

When preparing with a tea strainer instead of a gourd and bombilla, the serving size is similar to other teas. You will use 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces of water. If one tablespoon comes out to around 3-5 grams, you can get around 250 servings from one kilo!

The gourd will naturally cure with daily use by attentively allowing it to dry each night. Never wash your gourd with soap. Rinse it with extremely hot water, scrape out debris and allow to dry fully.

In United States, Canada and Europe it’s not uncommon for an avid drinker to consume at least 1-2 liters per day.

Argentinians love drinking their from natural gourds made from the calabash plant fruit just like their ancestors used to do. They harvest this fruit before it ripens completely. Next they hollow, cure and might decorate the outside walls.

Most 8 and 12oz gourds will fit car cupholders. Some mates come with lids to hold during bumpy roads or let you sip other drinks. Yerba Crew sells high quality stainless steel mates with BPA free lid, bombilla and cleaning brush.

is enjoyed in social gatherings. Several people get together and share one gourd with just one bombilla. The gourd gets passed around, creating a bond.

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