What’s the best yerba mate brand?
If you’re reading this, you probably asked yourself that.
I know I did when I first started drinking.
Besides, with four different types of yerba mate and hundreds of different brands to try, it’s hard to choose.
But whichever it is, there’s one thing you don’t want…
And that’s a bad tasting yerba.
And trust me, some brands can leave a nasty sour taste in your mouth.
So to avoid this from happening, I created a list of the five best yerba mate brands. Brands which I consider a must-try for everyone, and what most people will enjoy.
Before you find out what those are though, I must preface with a warning.
If you’re an experienced, long-time drinker (which I assume if you’re reading this, you’re probably not), you won’t find much value in this post.
But, if you’ve never tried mate before, or are a beginner who’s only tried 1-3 brands, you want to continue reading as you’re bound to find one you like below.
Let’s start with number one…
Best Yerba Mate Brands
#1: Cruz De Malta (Best Yerba Mate For Beginners)
Click Here To Read My Full Cruz De Malta Review
Cruz De Malta is possibly the most well-known brand in America. With very little research about yerba mate, you’re bound to still hear about it.
And it’s no coincidence.
Cruz De Malta is your safe yerba mate brand. The crowd-pleaser.
There’s no going wrong with it.
I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, Cruz De Malta is the best yerba mate for beginners.
Why?
Because most people who take their first sip of mate complain about the bitter and harsh taste.
But with Cruz De Malta’s light, buttery, woody, and semi-sweet flavor, you get a warm, inviting welcome into the world of yerba mate, instead of an off-putting, smack-in-the-face one.
Another problem beginners have is preparing the mate. But since Cruz De Malta is an Argentinian mate containing broad leaves, large stems, and moderate dust, you shouldn’t have any issue making it. The particles are too big to go through the bombilla.
Cruz De Malta was actually my first yerba mate after a recommendation from best-selling author, Tim Ferriss. And I couldn’t have picked a better brand for my first sip.
It’s also extremely affordable. So if you don’t want to waste money on something you don’t like in the beginning, Cruz De Malta is exactly what you’re looking for.
Click Here To Get Cruz De Malta On Amazon Now!
Or Click Here To Get It On PampaDirect (Worldwide)
#2: Canarias (Uruguay’s Most Popular Mate)
Click Here To Read My Full Canarias Review
Canarias is a fan-favorite. Not just among Uruguayan’s, but all mate drinkers.
Canarias holds an abundant amount of flavor with a rich body.
If you’re looking for a strong earthy taste, this is it.
There are very few brands I can say are up to par with this one because it contains a flavor profile you can’t find elsewhere. Ranging from a strong soil taste to hints of dark chocolate and nuts, Canarias is more for the intermediate to advanced drinker.
But for the brave beginners, you can give this a try. Just be warned that it’s stronger than most.
Click Here To Get Canarias On Amazon Now!
Or Click Here To Get It On PampaDirect (Worldwide)
#3: CBSe (Best Flavored Yerba Mate)
Click Here To Read My Full CBSe Honey Review
CBSe isn’t a well-known brand when it comes to yerba mate.
But it’s well-known when it comes to flavored yerba mate.
Flavored yerba mate isn’t traditional. And usually most people would tell you to stay away from it because of that. But I think otherwise.
Flavored yerba mate tastes delicious to me. Especially when it’s from CBSe. Particularly, their honey flavor (miel in spanish).
For beginners, this is a great brand to start with as the bitterness is more bearable. The sweet added honey note tones it down, while still maintaining the yerba’s delicious natural flavor.
I was provided a sample of CBSe Miel when I first started drinking. And after some months, I had to grab a full pack of it because of how much I missed it.
Flavored yerba mate is definitely not something you’ll drink everyday. But when you’ve been drinking regular mate for a while, it’s one you can appreciate from time to time.
Click Here To Get CBSe Honey On Amazon Now!
Or Click Here To Get It On PampaDirect (Worldwide)
#4: La Rubia
Click Here To Read My Full La Rubia Review
La Rubia is the most recent brand I’ve tried. And already, I had to give it a spot on this list.
La Rubia is a Paraguayan mate. Similar in composition to Argentinian brands, but with a different taste.
With an earthy sweetness, slight bitterness, and unbelievable smoothness to it, La Rubia is sure to dazzle your taste-buds. And with its creamy texture and light-to-medium body, it’s the perfect mate for any occasion.
Like Cruz De Malta, it’s a crowd-pleaser as well.
I can’t see how anyone can dislike this brand.
Robust flavors, smooth and creamy, and long-lasting, there’s nothing bad I can say about La Rubia.
After my first few gourds, I was hooked. And I’m sure you’ll be too.
Click Here To Get La Rubia On Amazon Now!
#5 Ximango (Best Chimarrao On Amazon)
Click Here To Read My Full Ximango Review
The last brand on this list is Ximango.
Ximango isn’t like your typical mate. It’s a Brazilian mate called chimarrao.
With a different way to prepare it, different appearance and composition, and a very different taste, chimarrao is a must-try for everyone.
Ximango is composed of a very fine neon green dust and large stems, usually making it difficult to prepare for the inexperienced. But once you get the hang of it, you’ll get to experience a buttery smooth mate only found in chimarrao.
Unlike the common earthy, soil-like taste of most mates, Ximango offers a crisp, fresh grassy and herbaceous taste with a hint of salt.
I remember my first time trying this and thinking, Why didn’t anyone tell me to drink this first? It’s amazing!
And I still think that to this day.
While most yerba mates have a warming feeling to it, Ximango, and chimarrao in general, has this refreshing one you don’t want to miss out on. And for the price, it’s a steal.
Click Here To Get Ximango On Amazon Now!
Final Words
If you’re looking for your first, second, third, or even tenth yerba mate brand, you can’t go wrong with the above.
Now this list isn’t definite. This isn’t the all-time best-of-the-best yerba mate brands in the entire world.
Far from it.
And that’s because I haven’t tried all the yerba mate brands there is to try. I doubt anyone has.
This list is simply what I’ve found to be the most enjoyable, most flavorful, and most consistent of all the brands I’ve tried. As well as what I believe every mate drinker needs to try at least once.
P.S. If you enjoyed this article, then you might also want to check out our store to finally start your yerba mate journey on the right foot.
any word on the organic yerba mate?
I tried the usual Guayakí aka guya yuki brand, nothing to write home about. Like the Cruz de Malta.
I am now sipping on Eco Teas Organic UNSMOKED yerba mate, all powder and very grassy herby.
LMK.
been drinking yerba since 1997ish
Hi Joanna,
I got your comment on Instagram but thought I’d reply to you here anyway.
I don’t really mind whether a mate is organic or not. I appreciate them all.
As for Guayaki (Review), I agree. It lacks power, strength, and complexity that the traditional brands have. However, I do like Cruz despite its simplicity. Its strength (although not super strong) makes up for it.
How do you like Eco Teas? I have a 2oz sample but have yet to try it.
Cheers,
Darren
Hi,
I was reading your article: https://yerbamatelab.com/best-yerba-mate-brand/
I liked it very much but I was curious why you didn’t mention “Mate Factor”.
Please read this article: https://teaperspective.com/best-yerba-mate-tea-brands/
Also: http://yerbamatesociety.com/the-best-yerba-mate-and-where-to-buy-it-from/
Did you try Mate Factor? If so what do you think about it?
Thanks for any info on the Mate Factor brand.
Regards
Hi Mario,
Thanks for your comment!
Coincidentally, I was actually just researching the brand a few minutes ago as I just heard about it, and now you’re mentioning it to me again. Maybe that’s a sign I should review it? 🙂
But anyways, I haven’t tried Mate Factor yet which is why I didn’t mention it. If you want to know why, I explain in this article. I don’t have anything against it as I never even had it before, but I typically stay away from these newer brands and stick to traditional ones. I’ll definitely review it some time in the future however.
But in regard to the two sites you’ve linked to, I wouldn’t trust them as reliable sources.
There’s a reason both articles (and other articles on their sites) don’t include any original pictures in their post and instead use stock pictures (or none at all), and that’s because they most likely haven’t tried the product themselves. They may be doing their research, but I doubt most of what they’re saying is from first-hand experience. So that may be why they mention Mate Factor, solely for the fact that it’s popular on Amazon. Not because they actually tried it and liked it.
I’ve heard many people who drink mate traditionally recommend brands they like, and I’ve never seen annyone mention Mate Factor as one of them. The only time it’s really mentioned is when looking for an unsmoked mate.
Cheers,
Darren
Thank you very much for taking time to answer me.
I feel like I am important 😉
Yes, please try Mate Factor – by the way they are not so “new” but I think they are not known.
Maybe because they are smaller?
Hi Mario,
No problem! I appreciate your comments.
And I will definitely try it some day and post a review of it here. And you’re right, Mate Factor isn’t exactly “new” (founded in 1998). But when compared to some traditional brands that started as early as the 1920’s, it is.
Cheers,
Darren
Hi,
i’m looking for the most relaxing yerba mate.
Any recommendations?
Thank you
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your comment!
Almost all yerba mate creates a relaxing effect for me, but brands like Playadito, Liebig, La Merced De Campo, and La Hoja I found to be perfect for relaxation. For me, these brands didn’t make me too energetic.
They also have a delicious sweet note to them which makes me want to do nothing else but sit back and enjoy the flavors I’m experiencing.
Hope this helped! You can click any one of the brands I listed to read my full review on them.
Cheers!
Darren
I would say yerba maté is not for relaxing. It is an stimulant… what you could try is “capim limão” or “melissa” or “maracujá”.
Hi Mario,
Yerba mate is definitely a stimulant, and a majority of brands produce energizing effects. But remember, mate also contains the compound theobromine which produces relaxing effects. Which is why some brands (at least for me) aren’t as stimulating and instead, are relaxing/calming.
Cheers,
Darren
Hi, I am from Syria, so it’s quite surprising but yerba mate is also very popular in my country! My favorite brand is definitly Canarias but quite hard to find it as the most popular is still Amanda.
I always start my day with a cup of mate and I like it for its energizing and stimulating effects before working out. This also one of the favorite beverage of footballers before training or playing 🙂
https://ideas-growth.com/yerba-mate-favorite-drink-of-footballers/
So far Amanda red seems the most enjoyable and I tried lots.
Your review of selecta makes me curious. I did try their premium once, that had lots of interesting wood tastes.
Cruz de Malta made me nauseous. Really bad taste. Never again.
Hey Ruben,
Amanda is a good one. And if you liked Selecta’s Premium, I’m sure you’ll like the original as well. As for Cruz, I’m surprised! It has nice woody notes too. But to each his own!
Cheers,
Darren
What do you think about Rosamonte?
Hey,
Rosamonte is good mate. Nothing extraordinary in my eyes, but to many, it’s one of the best. You can read my full review here!.
Cheers,
Darren
Hi Darren, great site i just got back into Yerba Mate, i not getting things done properly in my life with regular coffee, i tried matcha not good enough also, but back to Yerba, only tried 1 brand so far. Can you recommend a Brand that is as close as the Movie Limitless 2011 with Bradley Cooper?
That provides Energy throughout whole day, with Super focus, and Motivation?
I not tried La Rubia, but that sounds solid. aswell as Fede Rico La Mejor Yerba, only one i tried right now is KRAUS yerba. But which one will make me the Closest in Productivity and Focus like Limitless Movie? La Rubia or Fede Rico La Mejor Yerba?
Hey,
Is Pipore Yerba Mate a good brand ?
Hey Mo,
I’ve tried Pipore in the past and reviewed it here. It’s a great mate.
Cheers,
Darren
Have you ever tried Union Mate? If you have do you happen to know if its airdried or smoked?
While Rosamonte may not be anything great, Rosamonte Especial is the best Yerba Mate I have ever tasted. It costs a couple of dollars more, but the extra cost is worth it.
Hi Darren, What’s your take on el Taragui Yerba Mate con Palo? Curious what you think of this brand. Thanks
Hi,
Which Yerba mate would you say gives the biggest boost of energy and greatest focus. I’m looking to find one from a sporting perspective.
Thanks
Jonathan