Which yerba mate is the best according to MateMundo?
Are you just starting your journey with yerba mate, entering this fascinating world, and wondering what is the best choice to begin with? Or are you a “yerba mate veteran” looking to broaden your horizons and find the answer to the question: which yerba mate is the best? You are in the right place. In today’s blog post, we will try to clear up any doubts and advise you on the best choice!
Summary:
- Which yerba mate is the best?
- The best classic yerba mate
- The best flavoured yerba mate
- The best yerba mate for stimulation
- Final summary: which yerba mate should you choose?
Which yerba mate is the best?
Yerba mate has the unique characteristic of taking on different faces depending on a variety of factors. Its flavour is influenced by the country of origin, production method, added ingredients, and the way it’s prepared. Every brand of yerba mate, every flavour variant, brings a completely different experience. As the old saying goes, tastes are not to be discussed. Everyone has different taste preferences, which can also evolve over time. Therefore, we cannot definitively answer the question: “Which yerba mates are the best?” However, we can point out some products that are worth paying attention to. Our recommendations are based on personal experience and sales statistics from our store. When choosing yerba mate, one of the most important aspects is selecting the right flavour. The choice is vast, and every flavour has its own story and aromatic nuances. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced yerba mate enthusiast, you'll definitely find something for yourself in our shop!
The best classic yerba mate
Ilex paraguariensis or yerba mate is known for its intense, bitter-astringent flavour and grassy aroma. The distinctive character of mate can deter beginner enthusiasts, which is why many people, especially at the start of their journey, choose flavoured variants. Additional ingredients soften the taste of holly and offer a somewhat gentler entry into the world of yerba mate. However, from our observations, the deeper one ventures into this world, the more they appreciate the original flavour and aroma of holly and gravitate towards the classics – pure yerba mate without additives. Classics are not all the same, as each mate tea, depending on its country of origin, tastes slightly different – so let’s consider which classic yerba mate, divided into four mate-countries, are the best.
Argentina
Among countless opinions found on internet forums and social media, one statement stands out: the tastiest yerba mates come from Argentina, and many consider this type of dried leaves the true essence of the yerba mate flavour. Is this the case? That’s up to individual taste, but we can point out which Argentine yerba mates are most frequently chosen by our shop’s customers – and thus, which they consider to be the best. The undisputed leader among Argentine yerba mate brands is Rosamonte, and the unquestionable bestseller is the classic Elaborada con Palo. We’re not at all surprised that this brand is so well appreciated by our customers – years of presence in the market and nearly a century of experience have made their mark. Among Argentine brands, the freshest arrival in our shop, yerba mate Rio Parana, also deserves attention, offering two classic variants: Elaborada and Despalada. Rio Parana is the “child” of another Argentine classic, the famous company La Cachuera S.A., producer of Amanda, also considered by many as one of the best yerba mates from Argentina.
Paraguay
Paraguayan yerba mates are known to be the strongest and most distinctive in terms of flavour and aroma. The leaves and twigs of the holly are processed using traditional methods that involve drying with fire and smoke. Brewed Paraguayan yerba mate clearly exhibits smoky notes and a characteristic bitterness. Paraguayan yerba mates are usually not recommended for beginners, but among advanced mate tea enthusiasts, they have a strong fanbase. The bold character of mates from this country also makes them an excellent base for a chilled tereré. Among the most popular Paraguayan yerba mates, Pajarito reigns supreme – who doesn’t recognise the iconic, red-white-blue packaging with a little bird, as seen on the classic Elaborada? As for the best Paraguayan yerbas, the offerings from the famous Selecta brand are commonly regarded as such. Apart from many flavoured variants, Selecta’s range includes traditional options like Elaborada con Palo, Despalada sin Palo, and the premium-quality Selecta Premium. A Paraguayan yerba mate we also recommend and which deserves attention is the Guarani brand, hailing from the same producer as Selecta. The traditional Guarani Elaborada combines all the essential features of Paraguayan yerba mate: untamed strength, bitter flavour, noble smoky aroma, and an excellent energy-boosting effect. It’s worth trying!
Brazil
Brazilian yerba mates are associated with a mild, grassy taste and a vivid green colour. Here, finely ground chimarrão reigns supreme in gourds, and the Brazilian yerba mate brand Barão De Cotegipe has some of the most recommended products of this type. The high-quality Barão De Cotegipe Premium, a classic chimarrão, is particularly notable. Traditional, finely-ground Brazilian yerba mate requires a specific bombilla with a finer filter and more care in preparation, which might not appeal to everyone. A great alternative is Brazilian “green mate.” This type of mate tea is dried using hot air instead of fire and smoke. Furthermore, the seasoning stage is skipped during production, preserving the holly’s original colour, fresh taste, and aroma. The best example of “green mate” is the Verde Mate Green brand, with its classic Verde Mate Despalada, which has been winning the hearts of thousands of yerba mate fans for years!
Uruguay
For economic and logistical reasons, yerba mate is not produced in Uruguay, yet the locals have an immense love for the infusion of Ilex paraguariensis! “Uruguayan” yerba mate is actually sourced from Brazil but is made specifically for the Uruguayan market and differs greatly in character from typical Brazilian products. In a pack of traditional Uruguayan yerba mate, you’ll find fairly finely cut material, with a significant amount of twigs and dust. In terms of taste and aroma, Uruguayan yerba mates are intense and distinctive, but not as strong as Paraguayan mates. The top example of Uruguayan yerba mate, and our most highly recommended, is Canarias – it’s a true classic when it comes to products from Uruguay!
The best flavoured yerba mate
Let’s set aside the classics for now and focus on the segment of the yerba mate market that is the most diverse and expansive. Flavoured yerba mate has its supporters as well as detractors – with supporters significantly outnumbering critics. Many yerba mate brands, keen to cater to diverse tastes, offer not only traditional unscented products but also original blends of yerba mate with various fruits, herbs, spices… Whatever your palate desires! Just a decade or so ago, the Argentine brand CBSé was the unrivalled leader in producing flavoured yerba mate. To this day, their products are considered some of the most delicious yerba mates with additives. Our personal favourite is the tropical fruit version, Frutos Tropicales, alongside Frutos del Bosque, enriched with forest fruit aromas. However, recent sales statistics in our store reveal that products from Verde Mate Green and the Brazilian brand Yaguar are currently the most popular flavoured yerba mates. Both brands boast extensive offerings where everyone can find something to their liking. Our TOP 3 favourites, the best flavoured yerba mates, are: the original fruit-herb blend Verde Mate Hangover, the richly composed Verde Mate Más IQ Tropical, and the citrus-packed Yaguar Citrus Bomb. However, we encourage you not to rely solely on our recommendations – exploring the flavours of Verde and Yaguar will help you discover your own favourites.
The best yerba mate for stimulation
As we know, yerba mate contains caffeine, which naturally stimulates, making it a perfect substitute for coffee and energy drinks. However, for those who need an extra energy boost, the “power” of mate can be enhanced in several ways – we wrote about this on our blog. One of the ways to increase yerba mate’s energy potential is by adding guarana to its blend – a tropical fruit from the Amazon jungle containing high levels of natural caffeine. Yerba mates with guarana are often considered the strongest on the market and are among the most popular choices for our clients. The best, most energy-boosting guarana-infused yerba mates are: El Fuego Energia Guarana, Guarani Energia con Guarana, and Verde Mate Energia Guarana. Highly recommended!
Final summary: which yerba mate should you choose?
As you can see for yourself, there is no single definitive answer to the question of which yerba mate is the best or which is the best to purchase. In today’s post, we’ve presented numerous examples – it’s worth taking guidance from our experiences, recommendations, and statistics, but the final decision is up to you. Only you know what suits your taste buds best. What is “the best” depends on your personal preferences, experiences, and the moment. Experiment, try different flavours and brands, and discover the one yerba mate that’s perfect for you. Remember, the journey into the world of yerba mate is not only about finding flavours, but also about enjoying a unique form of relaxation and self-care!
Sources of information:
- Wikipedia: Maté.
- C.I. Heck, E.G. de Mejia, Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations, J Food Sci, 2007.