Yerba Mate Set for Two – Which One to Choose as a Gift or for Drinking Together?

A yerba mate set for two is a simple way to avoid arguing over a single matero in the morning. It makes sense when two people drink at home, or when you’re looking for a gift for a couple who already know yerba mate and want to drink it together, rather than taking turns from one vessel. Below you’ll find exactly what such a set should include, when it’s worth paying extra for a version with a thermos, and when a basic set of two mate cups and two bombillas is enough.

What should be included in a set for two

The minimum is two matero cups and two bombillas — without this, two people will still end up fighting over one vessel, which in practice means one person drinks a cold infusion while waiting their turn. A sensible set adds yerba mate to this, ideally in two separate packs or flavours, so that each matero has its own dried leaves right away, without having to pour from one tube.

The cup alone isn’t everything. The bombilla needs a strainer that doesn’t clog with every sip — a cheap, simple straw without a proper filter ends up in a drawer after two weeks. If the set includes a metal straw with a detachable strainer, that’s a plus, because it can actually be washed properly, not just rinsed.

A set for two vs. separate purchases — is it worth it

Buying two matero cups and two bombillas separately usually works out more expensive than getting a ready-made set, because the products in a set are packed together and you don’t pay twice for the box or shipping. Besides the price, it also matters that a ready-made set immediately looks like a well thought-out gift — you don’t have to figure out yourself whether two different matero cups will match in colour.

There’s another argument few people think about: two separate matero cups also mean less risk of catching a cold from each other, since the classic ritual of drinking from one vessel and one bombilla involves drinking in turns through the same straw. For couples who want to stick to tradition and drink from one circle — nothing changes, one large matero is enough. But for housemates who simply want to drink their own yerba, separate sets are more convenient day to day.

A set with a thermos — when it makes sense

A thermos is worth adding to the set when you both drink yerba away from home: at work, in the car, on a walk. Hot water in a thermos stays warm long enough that you don’t need to go back to the kettle after every round, which in practice means more infusions enjoyed together, not just one in the morning. The downside is the price — a thermos raises the cost of the whole set by over a hundred zloty, so it’s only worth getting if you genuinely plan to drink yerba on the go, not just at the kitchen table.

If you both drink mainly at home, it’s better to spend that difference on a higher-class matero or a second flavour of yerba, because the thermos would just sit in the cupboard.

Gift or your own set — the difference in choice

When buying for yourself, it’s worth choosing a set with a yerba you already know and like — there’s no point risking a new flavour with a set for two. With a gift, the situation is the opposite: it’s better to choose a set with classic, unflavoured yerba or with two different flavour variants, so the recipients can decide for themselves what suits them best.

Gift sets also usually come with nicer outer packaging — a box with a window showing the matero and the yerba tube. This matters if you’re buying for a birthday or under the Christmas tree, not just for your own kitchen.

Real sets for two and similar bundles

Below are three sets that you can actually buy — with real prices, no exaggeration:

Check the product: Set for Two – 2x Yerba Mate Tube + 2x Matero + 2x Bombilla (check the current price)

This is the most literal version of a set for two — two matero and bombilla sets plus two separate yerba tubes, so each matero has its own leaves right away and no one has to share.

Check the product: Starter Set + Terremos PRO MAX (check the current price)

A variant for couples who drink yerba mainly away from home — the thermos keeps the water warm for longer, so a second round doesn’t mean running to the kettle.

Check the product: Slim Fit Gift Set + 2 Matero and Bombillas (check the current price)

A good option when you’re both interested in weight control support — the box contains two matero cups (white and green) and two bombillas, so there’s nothing extra to buy separately.

How to care for two matero cups at once

Ceramic and glass matero should be washed with plain water, without detergent — soap can leave an aftertaste that you’ll notice the next time you brew. If you both drink daily, it’s worth having a separate drying rack or a spot on the kitchen counter so the matero don’t sit wet on top of each other — moisture trapped between them encourages mold, especially with natural materials like gourd or wood.

Bombillas need more frequent attention than the matero itself. The strainer at the end of the straw gets clogged with bits of dried leaves and needs to be rinsed under running water after every use — ideally also soaked once a week in water with a bit of baking soda if the metal starts to darken.

How much does it cost to drink yerba mate together every day

One tube of yerba mate is enough for a dozen or twenty brews, depending on the size of the matero and how many times you top up the water on the same leaves. If both people in the household drink daily, a single 300 g pack will run out faster than if only one person drinks — worth keeping in mind when ordering so you don’t run out of yerba mate mid-week. A good practice is to keep a spare tube at home, especially if you order online and delivery takes a few days.

What to look for before buying

The first thing is matero capacity. Small ceramic vessels of 150-200 ml are enough for one, maybe two rounds before you need to add fresh leaves — if you’re drinking as a pair, it’s better to aim for a bigger matero, 300 ml or more, so you’re not brewing over and over. The second thing is material. Ceramic and glass are easy to maintain and don’t absorb odors, while gourd and wood require initial “curado” (natural curing of the walls), but they hold temperature better and have their own charm if you care about a traditional look.

The third thing that’s easy to forget — check whether the set has separate yerba mate packs for each person, or one shared tube. With one tube and two matero, you’ll still end up transferring leaves back and forth, which in practice brings back the same problem the set was supposed to solve. Sets with two separate tubes, like the one with two 150 g tubes, eliminate this issue right away.

A home set vs. a work set

If you both drink yerba mate mainly in the kitchen in the morning and evening, a simple set of two matero and two bombillas without extras will do the job — it’s the cheapest and most sensible option. If even one person takes yerba mate to work or on trips, then a thermos stops being an extra and becomes a real necessity, because without it the water cools down after the first round and you either have to brew the second one cold or look for a kettle in the office kitchen.

People who work remotely and drink at their desk sometimes choose a middle-ground solution: one matero stays at home, while a thermos with a separate cup goes wherever the work happens to be. This kind of setup can be put together from two separate purchases if no ready-made set fits perfectly with how your day looks.

FAQ — yerba mate set for two

Can two people drink from one matero?
Yes, that’s actually the traditional way — one person brews, the matero is passed around, and everyone drinks through the same bombilla. The only issue arises when you both want to drink at a different pace or at a different time — then separate matero are simply more convenient.

Is a set for two a good gift if the recipients don’t drink yerba mate yet?
In that case, it’s better to choose a smaller, single starter set — a set for two makes sense when you already know both people will drink regularly, otherwise the second matero will just sit unused in the cupboard.

Do the two matero have to be identical?
No, in many sets they’re intentionally different colors or materials, so you can easily tell whose is whose — which is actually convenient for everyday use.

Is it worth having two different yerba mates in one set?
If you both have different tastes — one prefers something stronger, the other milder — it’s a good idea. Some gift sets already come with two different flavours inside.

How long will a bombilla last if used by two people?
With regular cleaning, a metal bombilla with a spring filter lasts for years — it’s a part that wears out mainly from lack of cleaning, not from use itself.