Mate Gourd Calabaza Virola Large Size

This is a traditional mate gourd  from Argentina made of a hollowed out pumpkin skin. It is the most commonly used type of mate gourd in Argentina and is simple and ideal for daily use. It has a metal collar around the top to protect the pumpkin skin. As it is a natural product, the sizes and colours will vary. While using the gourd a discolouration of the pumpkin takes place. This is a natural process which occurs through the absorption of the yerba.
 

Material: pumpkin shell
Width: 7 to 9 cm
Height: 7 to 9 cm
Opening: 6 to 7 cm

All measurements are indicative as every pumpkin shell is slightly different.

How to cure a natural pumpkin shell mate gourd
1: Wash the interior of the gourd with warm water
2: Fill the gourd with moist yerba (it can be yerba that has already been used), add warm water and leave to sit
3: The following day, remove the yerba and with a small spoon gently scrape the inside of the gourd to remove any loose material that may exist
4: Repeat this process from the beginning without washing the interior of the gourd...3 or 4 times will be sufficient to fully cure the gourd