• Guayakí loose leaf yerba mate – stock up here
• Candle wicks of choice
• 1.5 cups of soy wax or beeswax
• Essential oils or ‘candle scents’ of choice
  • For a ‘Mate Latte’ scent I’m using peppermint, cinnamon, vanilla, and eucalyptus for an earthy “mate” scent. You can also try something like sweet grass or green tea.

• Fire safe vessel of choice (I’m using a ceramic gourd)
• Food thermometer
• Wax melter or a pot with a wax melting vessel (I’m using a pyrex measuring cup to create a double boiler)
• Newspaper or brown packing paper
• Wooden spoon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Start by laying down some newspaper or brown packing paper to protect whatever surface you’re working on.
2. Measure 1.5 cups of wax into your wax melter or glass heat proof measuring cup.
3. Heat up your wax on the stove creating a double boiler or in the microwave for 5 minutes + continued at 30 second intervals until your thermometer reads 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to use an oven mitt when handling the wax container!
4. Set the wax on your paper and stir gently to cool it down to about 140 degrees, then add in your fragrance. If using essential oils, use 10-15 drops per scent.
5. Make sure your wick is placed in the center of your vessel and secured if needed. If using cotton wicks, you can use a pencil or clothespin to keep the wick center while the wax cools.
6. Continue to stir until your wax has cooled to 130-135 degrees, and then you can carefully pour your wax into your vessel of choice.
7. Keep an eye on your candle as it cools. When the top half inch is still soft gently sprinkle a light layer of loose leaf yerba mate around the top of the candle. Make sure not to pile it around the wick.
8. Allow the candle to finish cooling completely + trim the wick to about half an inch.

TIPS:

• Keep your thermometer clean off wax with paper towels in between uses for an accurate read.
• Allow the candle to cool overnight and don’t light for a full 24 hours after cooling has finished.

Light + COME TO LIFE!