As part of my latest yet not so recent yerba mate haul, I got my hands on a brand I wasn’t so confident in trying. I don’t know what it is, but something kept telling me to stay away. And that brand is Kraus Yerba Mate.

Maybe it’s the packaging or maybe I’m just a skeptic. But the truth is, this organic non-smoked brand is a surprisingly complex mate that tastes unlike any other brand I’ve come across.

I drank more than 3/4 of my 500g bag already in less than two weeks.

If you want to know how it tastes and all that good stuff, this Kraus Yerba Mate Review will show you.

Nose

Smell/scent is an important aspect of yerba mate. It’s the manifestation of the leaves’ processing from farm to bag. And when you open your bag of Kraus Yerba Mate, you’ll be welcomed with a bright and sharp grassy smell with a refreshing sweetness. Very vibrant and lively.

But when you prepare the yerba mate, that all changes.

As the mate gets in touch with hot water, a vegetal aroma rises from the gourd. It’s still grassy, but now smells like raw leafy vegetables and the sweetness is gone.

Taste

From the first sip, I realize Kraus has one of the grassiest notes I’ve come across (aside from chimarrao). Most brands have grassy notes, but nothing compares to this one. And that could be because it’s not smoked.

Other notes you’ll find in the beginning are soil and hay. Bitterness is at a moderate level, and smokiness is no where to be found (as it should be).

But as you continue drinking, Kraus changes up its taste.

At some point, it becomes slightly fruity. I get hints of oranges and figs lying under a more dominant woody and floral taste. Sweet, pleasant, and delightful to the palate.

Finish

After swallowing, Kraus leaves a light short-lived finish behind. Lacking in strength, there’s not much to experience after each sip except its texture. The only thing present is the original grass note.

Body/Texture

Kraus features a medium body. It makes itself known when consumed with its slightly heavy mouthfeel and creamy coating. There’s nothing harsh or overbearing about this yerba mate.

Cycle

Kraus yerba mate has a short-to-medium cycle. It takes about 5-7 refills before its flavor starts to take a noticeable plunge. With the gourd pictured in this review, I can drink around 1/2 to 3/4 of a liter. A bit saddening but the flavor of Kraus makes up for it.

Cut

Kraus carries a classic Argentinian cut. The blend is composed mostly of finely cut leaves, a good amount of palos, and little amount polvo. The dust is enough to form a circle on your hand when prepared, but it’s rarely visible on its own. This makes preparation easy and clean.

Effect

If you’re looking to stay focused and concentrated, Kraus has your back. The energy and focus from this yerba mate is subtle. You don’t instantly feel it. Rather, it’s slow and steady. But it’ll definitely keep you on task.

Kraus never gives me jitters or makes me crash either, making it a great mate for relaxing.

I like drinking it in the morning and afternoon. It can be a little disruptive if consumed before bed.

Kraus Yerba Mate Review

Fresh, natural, vibrant, and healthy sum up this yerba mate.

Thanks to its non-smoked methods and organic certification, Kraus is a sure crowd-pleaser. With absolutely no hints of smoke, many beginners will find this to be friendly on their palate. While advanced drinkers will find it to be a nice change from the popular smoked mates.

I wish I could compare Kraus to other mates I’ve tried in the past, but there’s nothing else like it. If anything, I can only think of chimarrao – the powdery green Brazilian mate – because of its grassy flavor. But other than that, it’s one-of-a-kind.

For those looking to experience the naturalness of this plant, Kraus is what you’ve been looking for.

Amazon (US | UK | CA | ES | DE | FR)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1.1lb Bag

PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1.1lb Bag

Un-Mate (Europe – 10% OFF Order)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1.1lbBag

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store for more yerba mate items.