I'd like to try yerba mate. I've done a little reading but don't know much at this point. If anyone has recommendations for vendors, types/brands of yerba mate, trusted links, etc. I'd appreciate it. I see Guayaki San Mateo and Cruz De Malta mentioned a lot. Also, I'd like to try mate before purchasing a gourd and bombilla. Any recommendations on how to brew it without a gourd? I'm thinking about using a gaiwan...
Thanks
Yerba Mate Advice
The ones I had were very powdery with lots of bits in it, I think that would be difficult to control with a gaiwan, unless you use a strainer. Also takes time to get used to drink from the burning hot metal straw-straining device (what is that actually called?)... an Urugayan friend told me that they do not feel the heat anymore – well I still do!
So I am thinking a teapot with a fine in-built strainer a-la-Japon would probably work. What works for Gykuru will maybe work for Mate.
i don't see the point of using the gourd and the metal straw. sounds like the worst way to drink anything ever.
why not just use a strainer basket and a coffee mug?
why not just use a strainer basket and a coffee mug?
idk, i wouldn't put mate in nice teaware
As the only Argentine in the room 
I recommend either a gourd and silver straw, or a contemporary french press. I prefer the ease of a french press. The gourd and silver straw works well to pass around the camp fire with the gauchos, hay bales, and horses. The french press keeps out all the little bits of broken up stems and powdery leaves. A shibo, houhin or gaiwan I don’t recommend, too many small bits will pass through. Worst case use one of those large tea bag sold in health food stores or pedant’s strainer basket idea proposed above. Mate is great in the morning to get you going 
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I recommend either a gourd and silver straw, or a contemporary french press. I prefer the ease of a french press. The gourd and silver straw works well to pass around the camp fire with the gauchos, hay bales, and horses. The french press keeps out all the little bits of broken up stems and powdery leaves. A shibo, houhin or gaiwan I don’t recommend, too many small bits will pass through. Worst case use one of those large tea bag sold in health food stores or pedant’s strainer basket idea proposed above. Mate is great in the morning to get you going 
.Mine french press is stainless and glass and comes apart to clean, so no coffee smell, even though it is used for both coffee and mate. But honestly, a little coffee residue and mate sounds like an okay intermingling too.
If the thermos had any plastic areas, such as a gasket or seal, that will absorb odors forever. Anyway, like I mentioned mate has such a strong flavor and aroma it would blow away any residual coffee aroma if present. An herb with gusto.
Forgot to mention some good Mate brands available in the USA.
With stems ‘con palo’ is stronger, without stems ‘sin palo’ a little milder.
Some brands;
Rosamonte, Seleccion Especial
Canarias
Nobelza Gaucha
for a lighter organic and more northerly experience;
Guayaki, it’s organic and a fair trade company.
I also just came across a post I made over at the old forum in its decline, where I was using a Hario glass teapot with stainless basket to steep Mate.
With stems ‘con palo’ is stronger, without stems ‘sin palo’ a little milder.
Some brands;
Rosamonte, Seleccion Especial
Canarias
Nobelza Gaucha
for a lighter organic and more northerly experience;
Guayaki, it’s organic and a fair trade company.
I also just came across a post I made over at the old forum in its decline, where I was using a Hario glass teapot with stainless basket to steep Mate.
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There is no self
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It works because you're drinking it at 80°C or lower, and taking small sips. The straw also has a small strainer to keep the residues out.
The gourd is quite practical as well, especially if you have to move around or work at a desk. Some people even bring a small thermos with them to make mate on the go.
that makes sense. thank youThere is no self wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 4:25 amIt works because you're drinking it at 80°C or lower, and taking small sips. The straw also has a small strainer to keep the residues out.
The gourd is quite practical as well, especially if you have to move around or work at a desk. Some people even bring a small thermos with them to make mate on the go.