I've never been a big fan of the base flavor of yerba mate, which strikes me as metallic and overly bitter, despite trying to get used to it during my years living in South Florida, where everything from sodas to candy, tea, baked goods, and even alcoholic beverages are made with it. That caveat duly affixed herein, I liked this tea and wouldn't mind trying more.

The aroma wasn't very strong in the dry bag, nor in-cup, but still was mild, pleasant, and tropical-fruity, as should be expected from the flavorings (mango, guava, lemon, and "other"). Those file the coarse edge off the mate enough to make it rather smooth and far less like licking rusted steel than with pure mate. Allegro did a nice job of assuaging the grumpy side of mate's personality and letting the spiciness and more-tolerable vegetal side filter through. [The aftertaste carries a little more of the metallic bitterness, but nothing a swish of Listerine can't blast out.] If you desire to drink mate but are put off by parts of its flavor, this tea could be the way to achieve that dream.

Add your own review

Login or Sign Up to comment on this review.