You know that person in your life you can always depend on? You know… the one who if you have a problem and need advice, he/she always has the perfect answer?

Well in the world of yerba mate, Cruz De Malta is that person.

With this brand, you never have to second-guess drinking it.

Cruz De Malta is a traditional and popular mate of Argentina, and it’s what I recommend to almost every newcomer (you’ll find out why in a second).

Even best-selling author, Tim Ferriss, loves it.

If you’re wondering why, then keep reading this Cruz De Malta Yerba Mate Review to discover how it tastes and more!

Nose

To the nose, Cruz De Malta releases natural fumes of earth and soil, but is balanced by a light sweetness and crisp fruitiness. When brewing in the gourd with hot water, a different aroma rises into the air. Now, a more grassy note (reminiscent of the brand Kraus) fills my senses. Think of leafy green vegetables.

Taste

In a world where bold, strong, and bitter personalities are the majority of the yerba mate population, Cruz De Malta is nothing like it. Rather, it strikes the perfect medium between too light and too bitter. Cruz boasts a hearty earthy flavor with nice woodsy and bready undertones, while a natural sweetness is present in the back. No smokiness, sharpness, harshness, or intense bitterness is found in this mate.

However, there’s a unique and subtle sourness to it, which is typically found among Paraguayan yerba mates. As you go into the second half of this mate though, its earthiness is replaced by a nice butter note.

I found Cruz to do best in water temperatures of around 140-150ºF (60-66ºC). Any higher, and its bitterness gets too strong and can be off-putting.

Finish

The aftertaste of Cruz is just as good as the taste itself. After swallowing, it opens up with the same earthiness and breadiness but transitions into a lovely note of roasted nuts for you to indulge on.

Body/Texture

Cruz De Malta is a light-to-medium bodied mate. The initial few gourdfuls lay heavy on the palate, but isn’t overwhelming. Rather, extremely smooth. However, after this quick phase, Cruz becomes light and easygoing. This mate flows in and out. It has no intentions on making a fuss or disturbing you. It just goes about its business.

Cut

Cruz De Malta has a traditional Argentine cut. Leaves have a uniform medium-cut. Plenty of white and tan palos fill the bag. Some can be as long as one centimeter, while others are short and wide. A good amount of dust is present as well, which makes preparation easy as the mountain of mate sticks in place. Burnt black/brown leaves can be found here and there too.

Cycle

Unfortunately, Cruz has a short cycle. It starts off strong with lots of flavor, but instantly takes a nosedive after a few refills. One gourd can be rich and flavorful, but the next can all of a sudden be weak. I can only finish up to 1/2 to 3/4 of a liter with a medium-sized gourd.

Effect

When it comes to effect, Cruz doesn’t skyrocket your energy levels in an instant. Instead, it provides a constant stream of medium-level energy, an uplifting mood, and better focus. For me, this makes it perfect for low-physical activities like reading and writing.

You don’t have to worry about feeling jumpy or overwhelmed with Cruz either. In fact, it provides a calming effect. When I drink Cruz, time seems to slow down, as well as my mind. The only thing I can focus on is what’s in front of me. My vision and hearing are heightened as well.

Cruz is great any time of the day.

Cruz De Malta Yerba Mate Review

Like I said in the beginning, if you’re just starting out (or even if you’re experienced), Cruz De Malta is a brand you can always depend on.

Aside from its cycle, there’s nothing that can go wrong with this mate.

Easy to prepare, delicious notes, and a wonderful effect, Cruz De Malta is a brand that meets all the typical descriptions you hear about yerba mate. Making it a perfect introduction for beginners, while a classic for more experienced drinkers.

And here’s the best thing…

It’s super cheap.

Probably the most affordable yerba mate brand I’ve come across.

P.S. If you enjoyed this Cruz De Malta Review, you can grab a bag on our store because you’ll find one-of-a-kind items.