Drinking mate in the calabash is a sign of friendship and hospitality. After preparing the drink, the host drinks the first fill of the calabash to be sure that the drink is perfectly prepared. Afterwards, the calabash is refilled with hot water and passed on to the next guest in an anti-clockwise direction, with the drinking straw facing the person. 

Everyone drinks the entire contents of the calabash, because you only share the container and not the liquid. You drink as fast or as slowly as you like until the calabash is empty. Then you hand it back to the host, who fills it up again and passes it on to the next person. This is repeated until the tea loses its taste. 

Preparation of the mate in the calabash

Fill the calabash 2/3 full with dried mate leaves. Shake it gently so that the tea stays on one side and leaves space on the other side.

2. the drinking straw is placed in the calabash with the filter end first.

3. put a little cold water on the empty side of the calabash and then tilt it so that the dried leaves can absorb the water. This preserves the aroma and properties of the plant.

Boil the water and let it cool to about 70 degrees. Now fill the water into the calabash up to the rim. Use the drinking straw to suck out all the liquid and add fresh water. This ensures that the guests only get the drink when the mate has reached its optimal taste and is not too strong.

Afterwards, the calabash is refilled with water for each guest. The latter drinks it empty and hands it back to the host. While drinking, the drinking straw should not be moved too much so as not to disturb the leaves.

6. a calabash can be refilled about 15 to 20 times.