My ceramic mate gourds can be used for regular mate consumption.
Raku-fired gourds are slightly porous and require curing just as natural calabash gourds do to become fully sealed. I use food-safe glazes, so they are fine for mate.
We tested our prototypes and the curing process slightly changes the appearance of the gourd, highlights the fine crackles a bit as the liquid fills the pores of the ceramic body. Once the pores are filled the gourd gets sealed.
The high-fired stoneware or porcelain gourds absorb virtually no water, mate has no effect on their surface at all.
