Tea: Loose Dark Roast Organic Yerba Mate
A Yerba Maté from Mate Factor - Organic
Brand: | Mate Factor |
Style: | Yerba Maté |
Region: | Brazil |
Caffeine: | Caffeinated |
Loose? | Loose |
# Ratings: | 2 View All |
Product page: | Loose Dark Roast Organic Yerba Mate |
Reviewer: Alex Zorach
✓ 1453 teas reviewed
✓ 7 of Yerba Maté
✓ 2 of Mate Factor
✓ 6 from Brazil
Review of Loose Dark Roast Organic Yerba Mate
November 19th, 2010
Aroma | Flavor | Value | Total |
8 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 87 of 100 |
Excellent | Excellent | Outstanding |
Outstanding. Although this is described as "dark roast", it's greener than a lot of other roasted Yerba mate. The roast is not uniform, and the dry leaf has just as much green as dark brown pieces. I think this mix of roast imparts a complexity to the aroma: it is simultaneously deep and fresh.
The brewed cup is very dark in color. I found this one easier to brew than Mate Factor's green Yerba mate. The instructions say 1 tablespoon per cup, and 5 minutes. I found that the cup comes out remarkably similar regardless of how long you steep it; only the strength varies, and it varies a lot less than you might expect. Sometimes I enjoy using as little as one teaspoon per cup and steeping as briefly as 3 minutes, but using a tablespoon and steeping for 5-8 minutes, it's still very smooth and pleasing.
Very much like hot chocolate. Naturally sweet, creamy, smooth, earthy, and rich. I absolutely love the flavor of this one. While my favorite green Yerba mate, by flavor, was from Upton Tea Imports, this is without a doubt my favorite roasted Yerba Mate. And the price is so reasonable, especially given that it is organic.
I would highly recommend this one. It's quickly become my favorite drink for the late afternoon, as I find it gives a bit of a boost but is much more relaxing than tea.