TORPEDO INOX

A Uruguayan classic in an indestructible build. The torpedo shape — elongated, tapering downwards — was devised in Uruguay for their way of drinking mate: plenty of fine yerba without stems, a flask at hand and a long session. Here that shape is assembled from a steel liner and a polypropylene body: the same proportions, but without the gourd, the curing and the risk of cracking it.

Why the torpedo

A narrow, tall neck holds the packing as a dense column. The water passes down through the yerba slowly and evenly instead of spreading across a wide bottom — the flavour gives itself up for longer and more steadily. In a wide vessel the fine Uruguayan yerba goes flat within a dozen refills; in a torpedo it lasts noticeably longer.

280 ml is the standard Uruguayan volume: not enormous, but with room for a dense charge.

Steel and plastic

The inner liner is stainless steel. It does not absorb the brew, adds no taste of its own and washes in seconds — no curing, no residue, no mould, the things gourd owners worry about.

The outer body is polypropylene: plastic conducts heat poorly, so you can hold the calabash in your hand rather than by the very edge. It also does not break — dropping a vessel like this is no disaster. It weighs only 200 grams, which makes it an obvious candidate for a rucksack, a car or the office.

How to drink from it

The Uruguayan way: finely ground yerba without stems, filled to roughly two thirds, water at 70–80 °C. Push the yerba against the wall at an angle, leaving a free space, wet it with cold water and let it stand a minute — then the packing will not scorch on the first pour.

The shape works equally well with hot mate and with tereré.

Care

Shake the yerba out, rinse with warm water, leave it to dry neck down. None of the restrictions like "water only" or "dry for two days" — a steel liner does not ask for them. Abrasive sponges and harsh chemicals are unnecessary, but the vessel will survive everything else.

Who it suits

Anyone who wants the Uruguayan format without looking after a natural material. An excellent choice for travel and for work: unbreakable, light, washable under a tap. And a sensible first vessel if you have not yet decided whether you are ready to bother with a gourd.

Anyone specifically after a living material and the gradual maturing of the flavour should look towards a natural calabash instead.

Bombilla and yerba are not included.

Specifications

• Shape: torpedo (Uruguayan)
• Inner liner: stainless steel
• Body: polypropylene
• Volume: 280 ml
• Weight: 200 g
• Colour: black
• Contents: vessel only
• Preparation before use: none needed