When I first tried Rei Verde Tradicional, the flavor was just not there. It was weak, mild, and barely like the Uruguayan brands that I was used to.
But after a few more tries, it started to show up more.
Rei Verde is an unusual yerba.
Some days it likes to perform and other days it doesn’t. One day I can get a very mild, weak experience. And the next day it can be as strong as Canarias.
Not sure what’s going on as the only thing that’s changing is the gourd, but these change happen whether in a calabash or steel mate.
So that’s a heads up for what to maybe expect.
Regardless, Rei Verde has an interesting flavor profile worth trying.
Nose
To the nose, Rei Verde is sharp and fragrant. Notes of cedarwood, paper, and fruity jam make up the bouquet of this yerba. And it smells fantastic. It’s sweet, a bit herbal, and smells good enough to eat.
Taste
On the first few sips, Rei Verde Tradicional shows off a lovely salty peanut taste that is a lot more prominent than other yerbas I’ve had. However, it weakens almost immediately, allowing a soft natural sweetness to appear behind each sip. Woods and soil are the backbone of this yerba. Smooth and mild, I found it hard to believe this was a Uruguayan brand. But the more I drank it, the more it opened up and started to taste a lot better.
Coming from the same company as Del Cebador, this yerba has that same floral note and begins to take over during the second half of the mate. Maintaining the same sweetness, the rest of the mate is smooth sailing from here. A mixture of nuts, cream, an earthy spice, and a fruity tartness all come together to form a delicious flavor profile.
At first, it’s easy to say Rei Verde is a mild and boring yerba. But that’s only in the beginning. This yerba is complex. It has lots of flavors to unveil but takes a bit of time until it does. For me, this second half of the mate saved it. A yerba that transitions in flavor is one I can always get behind. It’s these types of brands that keep me interested.
I found this yerba to do best in temperatures of around 160ºF (71ºC). This temp seems to bring out the subtle nuances better than hot, without making it too astringent.
Finish
On the finish, Rei Verde Tradicional leaves a long-lasting taste of peanuts and florals. This has been something missing in a lot of Uruguayan brands – a strong finish – so it’s refreshing to find it in this one. The taste lingers on the palate for close to a minute. But as you get more into the mate, the finish turns more vegetal tasting.
Body/Texture
Rei Verde is a medium-to-full-bodied mate. The mouthfeel is more watery than your typical Uruguayan yerba, but is still a bit creamy. A noticeale astringency also builds up with each sip. A constricting, dry-mouth sensation is present, making me have to take a few sips of water in between my mate. The first pours can be gritty because of the dust but this washes away after a few refills and becomes super smooth the rest of the way.
Cut
This Rei Verde specifically, the yellow bag, features a classic Uruguayan cut (P.U.1) that’s on par with all the other popular Uruguayan brands. The cut is fine and uniform. Barely any noticeably larger leaves. And stems are kept to a minimum with a few poking out here and there. Dust content is typical and can make filtration difficult with certain bombillas (spoon bombilla is recommended). Overall, a nice faded olive green color with some shades of brown and yellow.
Cycle
Like with all Uruguayan yerbas, Rei Verde also features a long cycle. It’s by default, as these yerbas contain a lot more leaves than stems. But this one seems to push for even longer. Given the already mildness of this yerba, the strength of flavor doesn’t seem to weaken any time soon. It’s stable for almost the entire mate and easily lasts more than a liter.
Effect
When it comes to stimulation, Rei Verde doesn’t do much for me. It feels like a low-caffeine yerba and doesn’t “hit” as hard as some Uruguayan yerbas do like Canarias.
A floaty-head sensation is there and can be felt above my eyes, along with an increased focus but an even greater increase in calm. Drinking this I feel more relaxed and at ease. Definitely not something I’m looking for to get me really going for the day, but the opposite. Something to unwind and relax to, read, write, etc.
I can personally get away with drinking this later in the day. Based on how it makes me feel, it’s a lot more easygoing.
Rei Verde Export Tradicional Review
What was an underwhelming yerba for me in the beginning, has turned into one I look forward to drinking every morning.
There’s something about the taste of this brand that is comforting. Especially the sweetness.
But again, the only downside is this yerba likes to perform when it does.
Some days can be hit or miss. And it’s not because of the gourd like I thought it’d be, as the variance in flavor is also there with stainless steel and ceramic.
Regardless, this is still a yerba I’d recommend and buy again.
If you want to give it a try, visit the links below:
PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag
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