Since I'm a big Lugano fan and he advertises for it I'll have to try it lol. I really want a gourd and a bombilla even if I don't drink from it. They look so cool.
Lugano is very matero... Like most Uruguayos. He always has the thermos and the mate in hand when he's interviewed. The other guy who is ALWAYS drinking mate is el Loco Abreu... The guy has a mate gourd with the escudos of all the clubs he played for, including the basketball and volleyball teams he played on as a boy http://www.elobservador.com.uy/noticia/230344/el-inigualable-mate-del-loco-abreu/
I've somehow ended up with a nice little collection without trying. They aren't too terribly expensive and you can find some really nice ones online.
Yeah Lungano is seen everywhere with his mate. That's what first got me intrigued to find out what mate was and try it. What do you guys think about what they say about the cancer causing causing claims. If yo drink too much you can get throat or bladder cancer?
It's pretty funny to walk the streets in Uruguay and see everyone with their equipo, its borderline obnoxious. I don't know about bladder, but with the throat its just from constant scaldings of your throat. But there's a way to minimize it, it takes a bit but you figure out how not to burn the hell out of yourself after a short time. I can't drink much mate because it leaves me with acid reflux.
Mate should not be brewed scalding hot. That's what brings out the acid and the bitterness. Try it a bit cooler (80-85°C) and you will be happier.
Oh I know, I don't usually prepare it anyways. It leaves me with acid at night, but so do a lot of things.
Ever wonder what beer brewed with mate instead of Hops would be like? The bitterness might work well.
Hey guys for your insight. I really want to try it the traditional way out of the gourd with the bombilla. I guess I'll have my friend from Uruguay send me a set.
I swear by Cruz de Malta...it seems most people say Rosamonte is the best but I find Cruz de Malta a little more mild and therefore to my taste. Besides the social ritual (not that common now that I'm back in the US full time) I find it a good afternoon drink instead of overdosing on coffee. All the big Argentine brands are available on Amazon for an affordable price...a lot different than even a few years ago where I had to search around various Hispanic stores for a bag.