Master the Art of Yerba Mate : A Step-by-Step Gourd Preparation Guide

Gather a yerba mate gourd and a bombilla (filtering straw).

Fill the gourd with loose leaf yerba mate, creating a slope on one side (the 'monita').

To create the monita, close the opening of the gourd with your palm, flip it upside down, and shake it gently while removing your hand slowly to maintain a 45° angle.

Add a splash of hot water at the bottom of the slope, ensuring not to soak all the leaves at once and keeping the top of the monita dry.

Use water at a temperature of 75°C (170°F). If using a regular kettle, stop it 1-2 minutes before boiling or mix boiling water with cold water in a thermos.

Insert the bombilla into the gourd exactly where the water was poured, and do not move it after placement to avoid clogging.

Gradually add more water with each infusion, keeping the first half of the leaves dry and not steeping all the leaves at once.

Do not let the yerba mate steep for more than 2 minutes and drink it right away after adding water.

Do not leave water in the gourd between infusions; keep it empty when not in use.

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