269271 Tue Aug 14 15:54:32 -0700 2001 8 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1419002 Hi - I've tried yerba mate at a coffee shop and rather liked it, so I ordered some online. The brand name was Rosamonte, from Argentina. The only problem is - I really didn't like it, it's quite bitter and the strong smokey flavor didn't help. Does anyone know of less bitter brands? Are the organic ones any better? I know yerba is cured differently in different countries...has anyone tried them all? :) Thanks! Tue Aug 14 15:54:32 -0700 2001 0 Jinn 1 1419016 Try ordering from SpecialTeas. I'm not a huge Mate fan, but I know there are different kinds - green, roasted, etc. SpecialTeas have several kinds, and maybe green is what you had that first time (just a guess). Link: http://www.specialteas.com Thu Aug 16 07:09:22 -0700 2001 1419002 0 Katerina 1 1420163 Just picked up a 500 g/17.6 oz bag of Yerba Mate for $2.19 at the local Dynasty here in Sunnyside on Skillman ave. The brand name is Cruz de Malta from Argentina. There were at least 3 different brands there, but this one was the smallest package it came in. The loose tea doesn't seem to have been roasted. Mostly light green leaves and white twigs. This is the first time I'm trying yerba mate. I found it to be slightly bitter at first, but then there's a strange sweetness that follows. I am a tea and coffee drinker(usually without sugar or creme) and so maybe that's why I find the little sweetness at the end. My chowmate doesn't drink much coffee nor tea, and finds this yerba mate very bitter. Any yerba mate drinkers out there? Mon Dec 24 14:25:59 -0800 2001 1419002 0 HLing 2 1420173 I am a yerba mate drinker! It's definitely an acquired taste. There are brands that are less bitter, though. Look for "suave" on the package. Also, you might put less tea and more water in your gourd (or whatever you're drinking it out of). The brand I like is Barbara. Wed Dec 26 11:27:44 -0800 2001 1420163 0 chowbabe 3 1420182 Thanks for the tip. Can I assume "Suave" is the type that hasn't been roasted? I don't have a gourd. I just put the loose tea in a japanese mocha tea filter and use a teapot. What do you think of the medicinal properties of Yerba Mate? Thu Dec 27 00:19:54 -0800 2001 1420173 0 HLing 4 1420184 Suave just means smooth, so it's not as bitter. If you look closely at the label, it should be marked as to its "strength." I really don't know much about the medicinal purposes, other than that I find it incredibly relaxing and that it's supposed to be good for your stomach. I feel like brewing a cup right now.... Thu Dec 27 08:47:41 -0800 2001 1420182 0 chowbabe 1 1420197 A big thermos of Mate is the the best for long road trips, it has a nice lift not as jittery as drinking coffee. Thu Dec 27 23:47:44 -0800 2001 1419002 0 tanyal 1 1427753 I love yerba mate and spent last year travelling in Argentina, Bolivia and Uruguay - mate is huge there. I like it milder myself and have tried a lot of brands. If you can find a brand called CBSe, I thought it was the smoothest and the mint the smoothest of what they make. Very refreshing and clean flavor. It's delicious, but I haven't seen it here yet. If anyone finds it, please let me know. Cruz de Malta is available here and it's milder. "Suave" is going to be a lighter tea. Taragui and Rosamonte seem to be all over here. They're both pretty strong and smokey and I think Taragui is the stronger of the two. Oddly enough, the Park Slope Food Coop has a good yerba mate in their spice section - not sure what the brand is, but it's smooth with a nice flavor. If you can get it there, it's very good and available in small (sometimes too small) bags. Mates with orange in them will be a bit of a change in the flavor. The trouble is that the majority of the mates I've seen sold here are the kilo bags of standard stuff - all pretty strong. Typically, this is drunk in a cup (also called a mate) with a bombilla, or metal straw with a filter. You pour the loose tea over the mate tea and then fill with water and a little sugar, if you like. Then let it sit for a while and start to drink. From there, it's kind of a balancing act, putting more mate and water in as you try and get the flavor the way you want it. I've been drinking mate this way for a few years and parch my tonsils on the first sip every time. Approach with caution. Wed Mar 03 11:55:48 -0800 2004 1419002 0 kwon 1 3591565 Rosamonte is one of the strongest of the yerba mate and has the most caffeine as well. Lots and lots of people love Rosamonte, and especially Rosamonte Especial, however it is not our favorite (and we have tried nearly all of them in Argentina... being Argentinean-Americans.) In our opinion people fall into two camps: the Rosamonte lovers and the Playadito lovers. The Playadito has a very smooth flavor, but a sweeter, less bitter aspect and very little smoke. The Cruz de Malta is definitely smoother than Rosamonte... however it has a noticeable smoky flavor (not that we are opposed to smoky.) Amanda is similar to Playadito in flavor--however it is not as strong. For smoother (suave) you really should try Union. Most of our local customers always order a bag or two of Union no matter what else they are buying; it's because it's just so great of an every day yerba; when you want something to make you feel good, but don't have the desire for a special flavor experience. The organic La Merced is excellent (and loads better thatn smoky, expensive,____, guayaki) but from what you've said I'm not sure you'd like it; it is very strong. The Brazilian brands--especially those bought in Brazil locally, are very green and fresh. From an Argentinean standpoint this is not a good thing--as flavor is said to improve with age and stationing--but Brazilians beg to differ. They also grind their yerba into a near powder and making a chimmarrao (what they call drinking the yerba out of the gourd, cuia, or porongo there) involves a process of cementing the yerba to the sides of the gourd with water like a paste. They also have bags to cover the bombilla bulb so as to make it easier to drink without getting powder. I have to side with the Argentineans... however I wouldn't mind spending a long visit in Brazil to give them the chance to prove me very wrong; they are wonderful people. Sun Apr 13 23:22:55 -0700 2008 1419002 183127 Great Yerbini