---
title: "The Yerba Mate Field Guide: How to Prepare Traditional Mate (Free PDF)"
description: "A free printable guide to traditional yerba mate: the starter kit, curing a gourd, step-by-step prep, water temperatures and how to share it."
image: https://res.cloudinary.com/cekiuehr/image/upload/c_fill,ar_16:9,g_auto,w_1200/f_auto,q_auto/blog/yerba-mate-without-a-gourd/refilling-yerba-mate-from-thermos
---
[Josh Caliguire](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/?hsLang=en)
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Free printable guide
# The Yerba Mate Field Guide: Traditional Mate
Everything you need to drink mate the way it is done in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay: the starter kit, the gourd, the mountain of leaves, and how to share it.
- The starter kit I would buy first
- Curing a natural gourd
- Step-by-step prep
- Water temperature chart
- How to share a ronda
- Cut-out quick card
[Get the free PDF](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/guides/traditional-yerba-mate-guide#download) [Read the preview](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/guides/traditional-yerba-mate-guide#guide)
*I research and test everything I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission on purchases through my links. Your price stays the same, and I get to keep my gourd full. Win-win.*
## What's in the Field Guide
This is the guide I'd hand a friend the first time they want to drink mate the traditional way, with a gourd, a bombilla and a thermos. It's five printable pages:
- **Your starter kit:** the yerba, gourd, bombilla, thermos and kettle I'd buy first, and why.
- **Curing a natural gourd**, so it doesn't taste like squash or grow mold.
- **Step-by-step prep:** the shake, the "mountain" of leaves, and where to pour.
- **A water temperature chart**, because boiling water is the number one way to ruin mate.
- **How to share it:** the etiquette of a ronda, the circle of friends passing one gourd.
- **Cleaning, troubleshooting and a cut-out quick card** to keep next to the kettle.
Every product in the PDF has a short link you can type into your phone, so the printed copy works too. Here's a preview of what's inside.
## The Traditional Starter Kit
Yerba
### Playadito
Smooth, mild and low in dust. The yerba I recommend most to beginners. Ready for more? Try [Rosamonte Selección Especial](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003IF93TI?tag=joshcaliguire-20).
[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006JY59TI?tag=joshcaliguire-20)
Gourd, easiest care
### Ceramic Mate Cup
No curing, no mold worries, easy to wash. The best first gourd for most people.
[Check price on Amazon](https://link.amazon/B0dCV51ta)
Gourd, built to last
### Cuopru Imperial
The classic Argentine shape with a stainless lining. Durable, easy to clean and a great gift.
[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B7S2ZHXW?tag=joshcaliguire-20)
Bombilla
### Stainless Steel Bombilla
The filtered straw. Stainless won't rust or hold flavors, and a spring filter is easy to clean.
[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083HWLTYH?tag=joshcaliguire-20)
Thermos
### Stanley Classic 1.1 qt
Keeps water hot all morning so you can refill again and again. Add a [Pico de Mate spout](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXZ6GNKW?tag=joshcaliguire-20) for a thin, precise pour.
[Check price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FZX93K?tag=joshcaliguire-20)
Kettle
### Temperature-Control Kettle
Hitting 160 to 175°F is the biggest flavor upgrade. The [Cosori gooseneck](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T1CH2HH?tag=joshcaliguire-20) is a great value, and the [Fellow Corvo](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DQYQB39K?tag=joshcaliguire-20) is my pick if you want the best.
**Want it all in one box?** This [gourd, bombilla and accessories set](https://amzn.to/4wlrYZo) is an easy, affordable way in. For a deeper look at materials, read [Blog: The Best Yerba Mate Gourd and Bombilla](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/the-best-yerba-mate-gourd-and-bombilla?hsLang=en).
## How to Prepare Traditional Mate (the Short Version)
1. **Fill the gourd two-thirds** with yerba.
2. **Cover it with your palm, turn it upside down and shake** to bring the fine dust to the top. Tap it off.
3. **Tilt the gourd to 45 degrees** so the leaves form a "mountain" on one side and a hollow on the other.
4. **Splash cool water into the hollow** and wait 30 seconds.
5. **Thumb over the top of the bombilla,** push it into the wet hollow, and never stir it.
6. **Pour 160 to 175°F water into the hollow,** keeping the top of the mountain dry. Sip, refill, repeat 15 to 20 times.
The PDF walks through every step, plus curing a natural gourd, the water chart and what to do when it turns bitter. No gourd yet? The companion guide covers the AeroPress, French press, mug and more: [The Yerba Mate Field Guide: Coffee Gear Edition](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/guides/yerba-mate-coffee-gear-guide?hsLang=en).
## Sharing a Mate
In Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, mate is shared. One person, the *cebador*, prepares it, drinks the first bitter one, then fills the gourd and hands it to each friend in turn. You drink it all, hand it back, and only say **"gracias"** when you're done, because "gracias" means "no more for me." The guide has the full etiquette, so you'll know what to do the first time someone passes you a gourd.
## Keep Exploring
- [Blog: Best Yerba Mate to Try on Amazon: 10 Loose-Leaf Bags Worth Buying](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/top-10-yerba-mate-bags-on-amazon?hsLang=en)
- [Blog: How to Make Yerba Maté Less Bitter](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/how-to-make-yerba-mat%C3%A9-less-bitter)
- [Blog: Best Thermos for Drinking Yerba Mate All Day](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-thermos-for-yerba-mate?hsLang=en)
- [Blog: More Mold in Your Mate Gourd? Let's Talk Alternatives](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/mold-in-your-mate-gourd?hsLang=en)
- [Blog: The Fellow Corvo EKG Pro Is the Best Kettle for Yerba Mate](https://www.joshcaliguire.com/blog/best-kettle-for-yerba-mate?hsLang=en)
## Print it. Keep it by the kettle.
Five printable pages, free. Tell me where to send it and the download link shows up right here. I'll also send my best notes on tea and yerba mate now and then.
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Josh Caliguire
Writer, tea lover, and community builder. Exploring friendship, intentional living, and the best cup of the day.
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