In Latin America, mate is eaten plain or sometimes with a few added plants. But it's not to everyone's taste.
To begin with, it all depends on what you are looking for!
1. The original mate:
This first option is suitable for you if you wish drink it natural green mate , of exceptional quality, as it is drunk in Argentina by 95% of Argentinians (this mate is nicknamed green gold). This type of mate does not contain no addition for an authentic tasting, without aromas , nor dyes , nor artificial preservatives , and we thus obtain a mate with sweet and delicate flavors .
The +: in order to benefit from all its benefits, our mate is certified organic. It does not contain any synthetic chemicals or traces of nitrogen fertilizers.
2. A fruit mate:
If you prefer to drink a fruity and more delicious mate infusion , the best thing is to go for one of our fruity mates ( forest fruits , tropical fruits, apple-pear , etc.). The blend with fruits or herbs is characterized by the perfect balance of flavors . The cooling effect or sweet and sour taste should not be too strong. The point is that the additive should complement the classic bitterness of yerba, but not eliminate it. It is therefore easier to get used to it, so classic mate will be more pleasant to enjoy later.
3. Roasted mate:
If you want to discover a powerful mate with notes of chocolate and coffee . This mate is completely unique and will suit you perfectly if you usually drink coffee (roasted mate is ideal for reducing your coffee consumption and even replacing it).
In addition to choosing according to your preferences, here two examples of criteria on which you can base yourself when you choose your mate :
- The visual appearance of the mate leaves:
Color, grinding and cleanliness determine the integrity of the product and their interaction. The key (as with almost everything in life) is proportion, balance. The grinding of its different components must be harmonious : lots of stems, lots of leaves and powder. When the mate is ready, shake it before pouring it into the calabash . Even if it is dust a little, this first gesture mainly serves to mix all the ingredients well of your yerba . A common misconception is that the powder is not good for consumption. This is not the case, because it dissolves more quickly in water, it softens the mate and maintains its taste during use .
It is therefore one of the aspects which reflects the quality of the product . Good quality yerba mate is green with a slight yellow tint. It is the refining which gives the yellow color (the leaves can be kept for several months). For roasted mate, prefer the brown product.
- The smell of mate
The smell is very important: it should not show any feeling of dampness or strange smell. Ideally, you should smell a dry herb aroma with a slightly roasted smell . Depending on their source, scents can be rich, pure, or even complex . You should always find rounded notes that indicate their good maturity. On the other hand, if there is too much dust, it (the odor) becomes difficult to smell. If this happens, shake your mate once or twice to remove the dust.
Finally, each mate has its unique taste, to find the one that suits you best, we recommend trying at least two different ones.
