A straw (bombilla) can be made out of metal or cane. It has a fine filter in one end (small holes). This end is inserted into the mate. The straw replaces tea bags as a means for keeping fibrous material from being mixed with the ingested liquid mate. The better bombillas can be placed in a dishwasher for cleaning. Some straws can be disassembled and cleaned - others cannot. Some of the ones classified as not cleanable can be cleaned by hand washing in soap and hot water. A pin may be used to push into the small holes to clear them from very small mate leaves which may collect in the holes. There are straight straws and bent straws. Some people prefer the bent ones because the cup doesn't have to be tilted in order to drink from it.

Tip : Some people use an old toothbrush to remove the dust from the little holes if the straw can´t be disassembled

Click here to learn more about Yerba Mate Bombillas