Traditional Style
Traditional Style mate is a strong, invigorating brew. It is best shared with a small group of friends or family. The person who prepares and serves the mate is called the cebador (say-ba-door). Traditionally, the cebador is the only person who pours the water, passes the gourd around, and maintains the freshness of the herb.
To Be a Good Cebador:
- Fill a thermos with 150 F water (never boiling!).
- Fill a mate vessel 2/3 with loose yerba mate.
- Tap the herb to one side of the gourd to create a pit.
- Pour cool water into the pit.
- Insert a bombilla into the pit.
- Pour a small sip of hot water from the thermos into the pit, right over the bombilla's head.
- Test this "first pour" to make sure that the temperature is right - not too hot or cold - and that the bombilla is flowing well.
- Do not flood the gourd - at first, the top of the herb should stay dry as you pour water into the pit.
- Pass the gourd to one person at a time, allowing each participant to sip until the bombilla gurgles.
- Gracefully maintain a slow, steady rhythm and a fixed order so that each participant receives enough mate.
- Gracefully discourage people from stirring the mate with the bombilla, as this often leads to clogging.
- Refresh the herb when it runs out of flavor.
- Maintain a steady supply of hot water.