Mate Straw Item Number: 3482/9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Silver straw (bombilla) for mate. It has a rectangle-like top and globular bottom. The top opening is gold coloured, flat and slightly flared at the mouth. The upper half of the straw stem is covered in raised floral motifs. The flower designs are done in diagonal rows and have gold coloured highlights. On either end of the decorated section is a plain, raised band, done in silver. The lower half of the stem is undecorated. The rounded bottom is perforated, to act as a filter.
Yerba mate is a traditional South American caffeine-rich infused drink, made by soaking dried leaves of the holly species Ilex paraguariensis in hot water. Traditionally served in a calabash gourd container with a silver straw (bombilla) which serves as both a straw and a sieve.