Shopping for someone who loves yerba mate? A yerba mate gift set is one of the easiest presents to get right, as long as you know what goes in one. This UK guide walks through the tools a mate drinker actually uses, how to pick yerba as a gift, and how to put together your own yerba mate starter kit at whatever budget suits you. You won't find brands or prices here, just what to look for.
One thing to be upfront about: we don't sell yerba mate at the moment. This is simply the guide we'd want if we were buying for a mate fan ourselves.
What goes in a yerba mate gift set?
Most yerba mate gift sets in the UK are built around the same handful of traditional tools, plus the yerba itself. Here's what each one does, so you can tell a useful set from one padded out with extras.
A gourd (the mate)
The gourd, also called the mate, is the cup the drink is made and sipped in. You'll find several materials:
- Calabash. A dried, hollowed fruit, and the most traditional choice. It needs curing before first use, which is a simple soak-and-scrape job. Our guide on how to cure a yerba mate gourd covers the steps, drying and aftercare.
- Wood. Wooden gourds usually need curing too, though the method can vary, so follow any instructions that come with them.
- Ceramic, glass, silicone and stainless steel. These don't need curing. Wash them in warm water before first use and they're ready, which makes them a practical, easy-to-clean gift for a beginner.
A bombilla
The bombilla is a metal straw with a filter at the bottom, so the drinker can sip without getting a mouthful of leaves. Once it's in place, leave it where it is, because moving it tends to clog the filter. A small cleaning brush is a thoughtful extra. One practical tip worth passing on: metal bombillas get hot, so they need a moment to cool before anyone handles the filter end.
A thermos
Mate is refilled many times in a session, so a thermos (often called a termo) is one of the most useful extras in a yerba mate gift set. It keeps water at a pourable temperature so the drinker isn't running back to the kettle. Water for mate should be hot, not boiling: about 70 to 80°C. Boiling water makes the drink harsh and can crack a calabash or wooden gourd.
The yerba itself
Yerba is the dried, chopped leaf, and sometimes stem, that makes the drink. Styles vary a lot, from milder con palo (with stems) to stronger sin palo or despalada (mostly leaf), and from everyday Argentinian cuts to very fine Brazilian chimarrão. If you're including a bag, our guide to types of yerba mate explains what the words on the pack mean, so you can match the style to the person.
An etiquette card
Mate is often shared, and a few unwritten rules help: one person, the cebador, prepares and refills the gourd; you drink the whole serving and hand it back; you leave the bombilla where it is; and in Argentina and Uruguay, "gracias" often means "no more for me". A small handwritten card with those points makes a thoughtful addition. Our guide to yerba mate etiquette is a good place to start if you want to write one.
How to choose yerba as a gift
If you're including the yerba itself, a few simple checks help you pick a bag that will be enjoyed rather than left in a cupboard.
- Cut. Con palo includes stems and tends to taste milder, which is often a gentler starting point for someone new to mate. Sin palo is mostly leaf and usually tastes stronger.
- Style and origin. Many packs sold in the UK name a country or style, such as Argentinian, Uruguayan, Paraguayan or Brazilian chimarrão. A clearly stated origin or style helps you know what you're buying. If you're not sure, a straightforward Argentinian con palo is a widely drunk choice.
- Packing or best-before date. Choose a bag with plenty of time left on the date. A best-before date is about quality rather than safety, but for a gift you want it at its best.
- Packaging and size. Look for a well-sealed bag. A smaller bag is usually the better gift if you're not sure which style they'll like.
How to put together your own yerba mate starter kit
Building your own set lets you match it to the person. A few ideas:
- Start with the essentials. A gourd and a bombilla cover everything a beginner needs. If they're new to it, point them to our beginner's guide to making yerba mate.
- Add one practical extra. A thermos, a cleaning brush, or a short note on curing a calabash makes the set genuinely useful day to day.
- Add a personal touch. A handwritten etiquette card, or a small bag of yerba in a style you think they'll like, turns a set of tools into a thoughtful present.
- Pack it well. Wrap a ceramic or calabash gourd in tissue or paper shred, and keep the bombilla in a sleeve or a fold of paper so it doesn't scratch the cup.
Yerba mate gift ideas at every budget
You don't need to spend a lot to give a good yerba mate gift. Think of it in three tiers rather than prices:
- Small and simple. A bombilla, a cleaning brush, or a handwritten etiquette card. Ideal as a small present or a Secret Santa gift for an adult who already drinks yerba mate.
- A starter kit. A gourd and a bombilla, with or without a small bag of yerba. This is the classic yerba mate gift set for someone who's curious but hasn't got the kit yet.
- The full set. A gourd, bombilla, thermos, a bag of yerba, a cleaning brush and an etiquette card, plus a curing note if the gourd is a calabash or wood. A generous present for a real mate enthusiast.
A note on caffeine
Yerba mate contains caffeine, which is worth bearing in mind when you choose who to give it to. The NHS advises that if you're pregnant, you should have no more than 200mg of caffeine a day. If you're unsure, a set of tools with no yerba included is a thoughtful alternative.
Yerba mate gift set FAQ
What should a beginner's yerba mate starter kit include?
A gourd and a bombilla are the essentials. A thermos and a small bag of yerba are useful extras. If you choose a calabash or wooden gourd, include a short note on curing.
Can I give a yerba mate gift set without the yerba?
Yes. A set of tools alone makes a lovely gift for someone who already has a favourite yerba, and it avoids guessing their taste.
Do calabash and wooden gourds need curing?
Yes. A calabash and most wooden gourds need curing before first use. Ceramic, glass, silicone and stainless steel gourds just need a wash in warm water.
Do you sell yerba mate gift sets?
We don't sell yerba mate or yerba mate gift sets at the moment. If you have a question for us, email legallygreenuk@gmail.com.