How long can you drink the same mate? Understanding refills, safety, and hygiene for your nutrition diet

October 9, 2025 •

4 min read

The tradition of drinking mate involves multiple refills from the same batch of yerba leaves. Understanding how long can you drink the same mate? is key for both flavor and safety, especially when incorporating this energizing beverage into a regular nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

This guide explains the difference between single-session refills and attempting to reuse mate from a previous day. It details how to spot spoiled yerba mate, emphasizes the risks of mold, and provides essential gourd cleaning practices for a safe drinking experience.

Key Points

Single-Session Refills are Standard: A batch of yerba mate can be refilled with hot water many times within a single drinking session until the flavor is gone.
Overnight Reuse is Not Recommended: Leaving wet yerba mate in a gourd overnight is a high-risk practice that can lead to mold growth.
Check for Spoilage: Visibly fuzzy mold, a musty or sour smell, or a clumped, damp texture are clear signs that yerba mate is unsafe and should be discarded.
Clean Your Gourd Thoroughly: Proper hygiene is critical for natural gourds; empty, rinse, and dry completely after every use to prevent mold formation.
Consider Your Gourd Material: Non-natural gourds made of glass, ceramic, or steel are less prone to mold, making them a safer choice if you cannot ensure thorough daily drying.
Store Dry Mate Properly: Unused, dry yerba mate should be kept in a cool, dark, and airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.

The Art of the Single-Session Refill

In the traditional method of drinking yerba mate, a single serving of dried leaves is placed into a gourd and refilled with hot water multiple times. This process is not about a single cup, but a communal ritual or an extended personal session where the flavor gradually evolves and fades. The key to making a single batch of yerba last longer lies in the preparation method. By creating a 'mountain' of dry yerba on one side of the gourd and adding water only to the other side, the flavor can be prolonged significantly. This gradual wetting of the leaves is what makes mate so efficient, offering numerous rounds of flavorful infusion from one batch.

Depending on the type and quantity of yerba used, a single serving can yield anywhere from 5 to 30 refills before becoming tasteless, a stage known as lavado, or 'washed out'. The temperature of the water plays a crucial role; using water that is too hot can 'burn' the leaves, causing the flavor to dissipate much faster. The ideal temperature is typically between 70-80°C (158-176°F). Experienced drinkers know the session is over when the infusion becomes weak and the leaves at the bottom of the gourd lose their buoyancy.

The Risks of Reusing Yerba Mate Overnight

While single-session refills are a core part of the mate tradition, reusing a batch of wet yerba mate from a previous day is highly discouraged due to significant food safety risks. Leaving damp, organic material at room temperature, especially within a moisture-retaining vessel like a calabash or wooden gourd, creates the perfect breeding ground for mold. Even if there are no immediately visible signs, harmful fungi can begin to grow, which can cause illness or allergic reactions.

Identifying Spoiled Mate

It is essential to know the warning signs that indicate yerba mate is no longer safe for consumption, whether it’s leftover brew or an old, stored bag. Signs of spoilage include:

Visible Mold: Fuzzy white, green, or black patches on the surface of the leaves are a definite sign of spoilage.
Unpleasant Odor: A musty, sour, or fermented smell is a strong indicator that the mate has gone bad.
Clumped or Damp Texture: If the dry leaves feel sticky or moist, they have likely absorbed too much humidity and should not be used.
"Off" Taste: A distinctly metallic, sour, or unpleasant flavor after brewing signals that the leaves have spoiled.

Protecting Your Gourd and Health

To prevent mold and extend the life of your gourd, particularly natural ones made from calabash or wood, diligent care is necessary. After every session, empty all the used yerba, rinse the gourd with warm water, and allow it to dry completely in a well-ventilated, sunny area. Never use soap on natural gourds, as it can affect the flavor. Switching to a silicone, glass, or stainless steel gourd can mitigate the risk of mold if you are concerned about regular maintenance.

Comparison: Single-Session vs. Overnight Reuse


Feature	Single-Session Refill	Overnight Reuse
Flavor	Consistent, gradually weakening flavor over several refills.	Poor flavor; stale, unpleasant, or sour taste, especially on the first pour.
Safety	Generally safe, as it's consumed immediately after brewing.	High risk of bacterial or mold growth due to moist, warm conditions.
Health Risks	Low, when consumed in moderation.	Risk of illness or allergic reactions from mold exposure.
Best Practices	Refill multiple times until flavor is lost, then discard leaves.	Do not attempt. Empty and clean the gourd promptly.
Impact on Gourd	Natural staining (tannins) which improves flavor over time.	Promotes mold growth, which can damage and ruin natural gourds.

Long-Term Yerba Mate Consumption: A Health Perspective

While enjoying mate as part of a balanced nutrition diet can offer benefits like energy and antioxidants, moderation is key. Some studies suggest that drinking large quantities (1-2 liters per day) over long periods, particularly very hot mate, may increase the risk of certain cancers, though more research is needed. The risk is elevated when combined with smoking or alcohol consumption. For general safety, it is always wise to enjoy mate in moderation, avoid excessively hot temperatures, and consult a healthcare provider if you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant.

Conclusion

In summary, the question of how long can you drink the same mate? has a dual answer. For a single drinking session, you can enjoy multiple refills until the flavor is fully 'washed out.' However, leaving wet yerba in the gourd for an extended period, particularly overnight, is a food safety risk and should be avoided to prevent mold and spoilage. Practicing good hygiene with your gourd and being mindful of how you prepare and store your mate will ensure that this traditional and nutritious beverage remains a safe and enjoyable part of your routine. Always prioritize freshness for the best flavor and your health.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, it is highly discouraged to reuse wet yerba mate leaves from a previous day. This poses a high risk for mold and bacterial growth, which can be harmful if consumed.

Yerba mate is considered 'washed out' (lavado in Spanish) when it has lost its flavor and aroma after multiple refills. The leaves may also lose their buoyancy and sink to the bottom of the gourd.

Look for fuzzy white, green, or black patches inside the gourd or on the leaves. A musty, sour, or fermented odor is another strong indicator of mold.

The number of refills varies depending on the amount and quality of yerba mate, but it can range from 5 to 30 refills in a single session. The flavor will gradually weaken with each refill.

Dry yerba mate, when stored properly in a cool, dry, airtight container, is generally safe to drink long after its 'best before' date. However, it may lose some flavor and potency over time. Always inspect for mold or musty smells before using.

After each use, empty the gourd of all leaves and rinse it thoroughly with warm water (without soap, especially for natural gourds). Allow it to air dry completely, preferably in a well-ventilated, sunny area.

To prolong the flavor, start with a 'mountain' of dry yerba on one side of the gourd and add water to the other. You can also use a cooler water temperature (70-80°C) to prevent the leaves from 'burning' and losing their flavor too quickly.