Canarias is one of, if not the most popular brand in Uruguay.
And in this post, you’re about to find out why…
I’ve been drinking it non-stop (I’m also drinking it as I write this), and compared to most popular Argentinian mates, this one will knock you off your feet.
When I first heard of Canarias, I didn’t think too much of it. It seemed overhyped. And what most people tend to like, I tend to stray away from.
But as it turns out…
I was wrong.
This brand is grown in Brazil and dried over fire which translates over to its taste and aroma. Then, it’s finally aged for 4-6 months (according to their website), before reaching our gourds.
And after drinking this and coming back to it over the years, I believe Canarias deserves all the hype it gets.
Here’s why…
Nose
Right out of the bag, Canarias releases this pungent smell. To the nose, it contains a rich and dark earthiness as well as a fresh hay note. A little bit of citrus is hiding in the back, along with a hint of smoke. This all changes when it’s brewing in the gourd though. When it comes in contact with hot water, a nuttiness and sweetness floats into the air.
Taste
When it comes to taste, Canarias is quite similar to how it smells. To start, you’re immediately hit with a strong combination of soil, earth, and hay. This isn’t your usual yerba mate taste either. Compared to Argentinian or Paraguayan mate, this is stronger, fuller, and richer in taste, all while being extremely well-balanced and smooth. Though this may depend on your palate. But to me, it’s one of the softest brands I’ve had.
Then after a handful of refills, this mate begins to show its true colors. The more I sip, the more notes I discover. Hearty notes of bread, oats, and roasted nuts pop up, and they all coalesce wonderfully. But that’s not even the best part. As I get into the second half, a delectable milk chocolate and peanut butter taste spoil my palate.
To a beginner, this will be a beast. It’s jam-packed with flavor. And to an experienced mate drinker, this will most likely be what you’ve been searching for – a complex flavor profile.
I found Canarias to be best consumed around 155-170ºF (68-77ºC) but any temp will do. The temp doesn’t exactly change the tasting notes, but it does change how strong it comes through.
Finish
On the finish, Canarias doesn’t offer anything new. The more dominant flavors from before (earth, soil, and malt) carry over with no harshness or bitterness. This surprised me coming from such a strong mate. The finish also only lasts about 30 seconds and is as mellow as can be.
Body/Texture
Canarias is a full-bodied mate with a unique creamy texture that can’t go unnoticed. In the beginning, it’s heavy and a bit gritty due to the powder content. But as you keep drinking, it smooths itself out but still maintains its heavy-cream-like mouthfeel almost throughout the entire gourd. And the most shocking part of all, Canarias is not astringent at all. The dry-mouth and constricting sensations caused by most yerbas are non-existent here.
Cycle
To top everything off, Canarias has a long cycle and it’s all thanks to its cut. I can easily drink more than a liter of mate with an average fist-sized gourd. The flavor doesn’t wash away quickly either. Instead, it gradually simmers down, allowing you to truly experience all it has to offer.
Cut
Canarias features a classic Uruguayan cut. It’s predominantly composed of finely-cut yellow-green leaves with some smoked to a brown and black color. Palos are present but all are no longer than maybe 2 millimeters. Overall, Canarias is mostly leaves and dust. The powder helps form a nice mountain of mate when preparing, but can easily be sucked up if not using the right bombilla.
I highly recommended a spoon bombilla for this type of mate or you’ll risk having clogging issues. To mitigate this from happening, every once in a while you want to take your bombilla and push the yerba to one side to keep the mountain and filtration alive and well.
Effect
With a full-bodied and bold mate like Canarias, you can expect the effects to reflect its taste.
This might be one of the only mates to make me a bit jittery and anxious. But with a cut that’s made mostly of leaves, this is bound to happen since you’re consuming more caffeine. On the flip side, however, my focus and concentration levels are top-notch. My thoughts and mind become focused on one thing at a time, making it great for any type of productive work. But most notably, I get a jolt of energy. If you’re looking for something to wake you up, there is nothing like this brand right here. Again, this gets me a little jittery and that translates into my body wanting to get moving. So naturally, Canarias serves as a perfect pre-workout.
I would suggest avoiding this mate any time other than in the mornings. This mate can keep you going all day long. But of course test and see for yourself first.
Canarias Yerba Mate Review
Whether a beginner or advanced drinker, Canarias will fit the bill. More so for advanced drinkers though.
For beginners, it can be too strong for their palette. But if that’s what you’re looking for, by all means, grab yourself a pack.
With a full spectrum of bitterness, sweetness, and everything in between, each sip takes you for a smooth ride.
So does Canarias live up to its praise?
Absolutely. I really don’t have anything bad to say about it at all. Maybe just that it can be hard to prepare for a newcomer. But other than that, the taste, effects, and lasting ability are unmatched.
So if you’re interested in Canarias and want to experience a more complex flavor profile, visit one of the links below.
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
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag
Un-Mate (Europe – 10% OFF Order)
Click Here To Get A 500g or 1000g Bag
P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store for yerba mate, gourds, and bombillas.
Excelente article
hey, thanks a lot man. I live in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, and learned to drink mate when I went to Buenos Aires on honeymoon. I bought La Tranquera (because I liked the horse on the bag) and it changed my life. way better then the Chimarrão I was introduced to by an ex-girlfirend from the south. Since then, my wife and I have been mate fans and last week, by pure chance, we found a store selling mate from Argentina and I saw Canarias there as well. I bought Taragui because of your review, but now I wish I read this review before, so I would have bought Canarias.
Thanks for the reviews, bro. God bless you
Hey Fernando!
Thanks for the comment.
La Tranquera and Taragui are great choices, and a big switch from the grassy chimarrao.
Canarias is also very different from all the above. Rich, dark, and complex earthy notes.
I’m sure you’ll enjoy them all. Let me know how you like Taragui.
Cheers,
Darren
hey, Darren
so I went to that store again, but they had run out of Canarias. They did have Baldo, which is the same company, same cut, but is sold with a different name in the Brazilian market. My taste buds are not as sharp as yours, but it did seem similar to what you described here.
I think I gotta read your blog more, because I have a feeling that my mates have too short of a cycle… Or maybe I just want more and more everytime! LOL
if you ever come across Baldo, it’s really good and it’s my favorite, so far. Really bitter, really strong, but leaves a sweet aftertaste that seems to last all day long.
God bless you, and have a nice day
Hey Fernando,
Nice hearing from you again.
I’ve heard of Baldo and have been wanting to try it but it’s been hard to find online. I know they also make Canarias. I wonder if they taste the same. By the way you describe, it sounds good to me.
Cheers,
Darren
Hi,
Thank you for your reviews, they are enlightening! I was wondering if you could recommend a brand or a couple to try that are in the same spirit as Canarias. It has been my favorite so far. But im looking for something a little stronger, that could improve energy and focus !
Many thanks
First time trying it today and I was quite disappointed, for my palate it is actually tasteless.
Are you saying you keep adding water to the leaves and drink more and more from the same leaves? Thank you 😊
Hey Lynn!
Yes exactly that! One steep is not enough to extract everything from the leaves. We refill the same leaves until all the flavor is gone. Please read here for more details.
Cheers,
Darren
I am a beginner drinker and read a science journal article based on research done. They say the Yerba mate tea from Uruguay is the most potent. Could you share the brand names or teas made in Uruguay?
Hey Nish,
A few off the top of my head are Canarias, La Selva, Del Cebador, Baldo, Contigo, Armino, and Sara.
Cheers,
Darren
Honestly, can I drink this cold, and still get everything it has to offer? I’m hooked on tereré, but if I gotta do it hot to get the full experience, I will. Thanks in advance.
Hi Darren,
What mate are you using in the picture? It’s wonderful looking and I don’t see that specific one in your store
Hey Matt,
The mate in the picture is one I bought for myself years ago. We don’t sell it in our store but we do have this cuia that is the closest to it.
Cheers,
Darren
I finally gave this a try and hot fricking damn is it potent. I’m using one of the small Mateo silicone gourds and I get like a good 500ml (size of my water Stanley) out of it until it’s “washed out” with proper cornering. This is certainly a “morning only maté” unless you have partying or studying to do that night! Trying this one brought me right back to the first time I tried maté and it was strong and different to any other drink I had tried before.
I’m Argentinian and canarias has been my yerba of choice for a number of years now. I use a small (very small) wooden gourd. First heat water to 60 degrees C add some on the side for 60 seconds and then start pouring water at 80 degrees. Always on the side doing the right preparation so you have dry yearba on one side and the straw on the other. I find this method to get the most out of the Yerba (whilst using very little amount) and the caffeine dose doesn’t become too much!