WOOD

is an admirable and earthy natural material; we admire it in so many ways--it's heady aroma, soft, warm feel, the way light reflects in its seeming depth--but it can be fickle. It does not need to be cured in the traditional sense, but does need to be slowly hydrated.

If you feel you belong to the wooden mate club please try one of these... but don't be too surprised if you find a mate llorando (crying mate) and learn to love it like an overly-emotional friend. The Palo Santo are legendary for their aroma and subtle green hue; the Calden are the legendary tree of the Pampas; algarrobo is the heavy furniture wood some like to call carob; the palo blanco is maple, or pine, or even cinnamon wood (though, sadly, it has no flavor.)