Yerba mate straws in Toronto?

November 24, 2018 11:29 AM

This is a long shot: I'm looking to buy someone a yerba mate drinking straw (bombilla) in Toronto for Christmas.

I've found some places to buy the tea, and a place (El Almacen) that sells gourds, but their straws are out of stock.

Normally I'd order online, but I'm hesitant because of the Canada Post strike.

Anyone know of any brick and mortar stores in Toronto (ideally downtown) that sell bombillas? Alternatively, any Canadian online stores that don't use Canada Post to ship?

Plan C: somewhere in Edmonton that sells them.

Thanks!

posted by ersatzhuman to Shopping (2 answers total)

In the past I've found bombillas at pan-Asian supermarkets like T&T -- might be worth a shot? They've mostly been in the housewares sections.

It'd be unpleasantly expensive, probably more for shipping than for the bombilla itself, but Tealyra will ship within Canada via UPS and they do have both stainless and bamboo bombillas in stock. (Also mate, gourds, and starter kits, if you want a one-stop shop.)
posted by halation at 2:58 PM on November 24, 2018

I usually get my mate supplies from goyerbamate.com. The shipping rates to Canada are, however, outrageous ($40 USD USPS International vs. $5 USD to the US). You might be better off having somebody reship from the US using UPS. If you want, I'll volunteer.

Of course, it's looking like the strikers might be forced back to work, so this might all be a nonissue as of Monday.
posted by zug at 8:35 PM on November 24, 2018