Natural hand-made bottle-gourd CHICLAYO ~200mls Original straight from Peru

1. To a new gourd put previously used and still wet Yerba mate to 3/4 of its capacity (previously prepared in some other vessel, e.g. a ceramic vessel or glass cup);

2. Pour it with boiled but slightly cooled water (around 70-80°C) and leave it for at least 12 hours (up to 24) to let Yerba mate absorb the water;

3. After that time throw Yerba mate from inside away and dig out residues of Yerba mate and the gourd's pulp very gently (e.g. using a small teaspoon) and after that rinse the inside with water. Be careful, though, to not puncture the walls of the gourd;

4. Put fresh, dry Yerba mate to the gourd to 3/4 of its capacity and pour it with water around 70-80°C;

5. Leave the gourd with poured Yerba mate for at least 24 hours so that the gourd can take over the aroma of it;

6. After that time throw Yerba mate from inside away and rinse it with water. Finally, you can prepare your very first portion of Yerba mate able to drink;

7. In the first months of using the gourd it is common and recommendalbe to rub the inside walls of it with oil or butter;

8. After each time ending using the gourd (no longer drinking Yerba mate from it given day), throw Yerba mate out, rinse the inside with water and leave the gourd to dry – it's best to leave it on the sunlight or in warm place;