>>86658272Btw I should probably have mentioned theres a few different types of Mate (the cups) the original calabash (calabaza), wood, ceramic, glass, and theres stainless steel now. If you want to go authentic go for the calabash I recommend the torpedo shape. However the calabash and the wood ones have to be cured, which can be a hassle.
>woodIm sure you can find videos on youtube but the wood ones you have to coat in butter and then soak it with yerba overnight then clean
>calabashsoak with mate overnight, clean and repeat for like three or four days (technically you dont need to do this since it will self cure over normal use although you may get a bit of calabash taste those first few times). The biggest downside to calabash is that it is prone to fungus if not dried and stored dry correctly. Note, green discoloration is perfectly normal and not fungus, youll know its fungus if its fuzzy.
>ceramic, glass, and stainless steelIf you just want to use it and not worry about curing or anything, these materials are perfectly fine. The ceramic ones are the most common, youd have to search around for glass and stainless steel.
>recommendationsIf you want to go authentic go with Calabash. If you want a daily driver, wood is reliable and maintenece beyond the inotial curing. If you cant be bothered and just want to drink go with ceramic. If you cant be bothered and just want to drink but still have the exotic status symbol of having a leather wrapped torpedo Calabash then you can find leather wrapped torpedo glass ones that look identical but are made of glass. You can take these out anywhere and drink whenever and wherever. Its unironically a status symbol outside of South America because Messi popularized it.
>Why Messi, Neymar & Ronaldo Drink Mate ?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da7YeQ6YD1EHowever to Argentina, it is a fundamental part of culture. If you want the status symbol part make sure you buy a mate with the metal lip and casually carry it around while youre out, walking, at the store, wherever. Im not even joking, you'll be instantly more fashionable, just act like youve been there before. Act like youve been drinking it your whole life. "Oh this thing, its called Mate (you have to pronounce it correctly Mah-Teh), its a prehispanic cultural drink from Argentina (pronounce Argentina in Spanish too, Ahr-Hehn-Tee-Nah) its actually really good, it has a lot of benefits, ive been drinking it for a few years now (you obviously havent but just be confident about it :^) ) you just have to try it darling" Im not joking youll get addicted and youll have it daily and youll get your whole family into it.
