It’s been a while since I’ve tried a new mate (I’ve been traveling).
My last yerba mate review was over a year ago. But I have something new now. And I couldn’t be more happy to announce that it’s the brand La Rubia.
La Rubia means The Blonde in Spanish.
And I don’t know what you’ve heard about blondes, but whatever it is, by the end of this La Rubia Yerba Mate Review, you’re going to like them.
Let’s first start with how she smells…
Nose
Opening a fresh bag of La Rubia gave me fond memories of drinking mate after taking nearly a year hiatus. This mate doesn’t have a very strong nose, but it does have slight hints of woods with a subtle sweetness. And when brewing in the gourd, it’s still very light and contains green notes.
Taste
(Click Here To Get This Bombilla)
When it comes to taste, La Rubia is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The first time I drank it, it was like any other mate. Earthy, soil, and bitter. But as I kept drinking gourd after gourd, it quickly grew on me. The more I drank it, the better it tasted, and the more notes I could detect.
La Rubia is far from being a simple mate. Complexity is its middle name. Top notes of fresh grass and hay hit your palate first. Then a fruity sweetness joins the party with hints of florals and dark chocolate as its partner. Mingling all together, a typical Paraguayan sour note finally joins the party. Bready and woody components arrive later but still take to the dance floor.
Certainly a big party, La Rubia always keeps you on your toes. Every gourd I’ve had of this mate, always brings out something different. So don’t be surprised if you meet new friends. Besides, they’re always nice and cordial. Never harsh or bitter.
I found La Rubia to do best in water temperatures of around 150-160ºF (66-71ºC)
Finish
After swallowing a sip of La Rubia, it leaves behind notes of grass and raw nuts. Certainly unexpected, but delightful and pleasant on the palate. A welcoming bitterness creeps in as well. At times, a saltiness too. This mate finishes strong and lasts around 2 minutes.
Body/Texture
La Rubia is a medium bodied mate, and features this rich creamy texture that sits extremely well on the palate. Super smooth and velvety, it leaves enough for you to chew on.
Cycle
La Rubia has a short-to-medium cycle. I can get around 1/2 to 3/4 of a liter with the gourd pictured in this review. Its flavors die down gradually, and remains even when the mate is completely flooded with water.
Cut
La Rubia has an interesting cut. Although it’s from Paraguay, it contains an unusually large amount of finely cut leaves similar to Uruguayan yerba mate. Lots of dust is filled in the bag as well, with a low-to-moderate amount of stems. Palos vary from extremely thin to thick and long. Overall, La Rubia holds a nice olive green color with some leaves smoked to a brown hue.
With smaller leaves and a good amount of dust, it’s recommended to use a spoon bombilla for better filtration. However, preparation is easier as the yerba is more pliable. No issues should arise when making the mountain of mate.
Effect
Like its taste, this mate is well-rounded in effect as well. I typically experience higher energy levels, laser-like focus, and peace of mind. It’s hard not to become more productive and relaxed when you’re drinking La Rubia. Whenever I’m looking to get work done, while enjoying a deliciously satisfying mate, this is what I always reach for.
I find La Rubia to also be a great mate for unwinding.
With a complex flavor profile, I can easily relax outside and take in all its subtle notes and tastes, while watching the birds fly and the clouds drift over the sun. La Rubia helps me relieve stress and get back into gear.
This mate is perfect in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It has just enough caffeine to allow you to sleep.
La Rubia Yerba Mate Review
La Rubia is a must-try.
I have nothing but good things to say about this mate.
It’s full of flavor, lasts a good time, and surprises me on each sip. There are so many different notes within this mate that I can’t stop drinking it.
In a single month, I’ve already finished over half a kilo of La Rubia. And I don’t plan on drinking anything else until it’s all gone.
La Rubia is just THAT good. And I think anyone who hasn’t tried it yet is truly missing out on one of the best yerba mate brands out there.
So if you want to give this a try and experience all the flavors it has to offer,
Amazon (US | UK | CA | ES | DE | FR)
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag
PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1.1lb Bag
Un-Mate (Europe – 10% OFF Order)
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P.S. If you enjoyed this La Rubia review, you might also want to check out our store for more yerba mate items.