Fede Rico La Mejor Yerba Mate is one of the most unique brands I’ve ever tried.

Everything about it surprised me from beginning to end.

And if you’re interested in trying it, I’m sure you’ll be wondering why you haven’t heard about this brand earlier too.

If you want to know what I’m talking about, take a minute to follow me along on this Fede Rico La Mejor Yerba Mate Review.

Let’s begin!

Nose

Once you open a bag of La Mejor, you’ll quickly notice its unique aroma of smoke, steel, and cardboard. Nothing like anything I’ve smelled before, it also has a strange artificial smell to it. I can’t quite put my finger on it. However, when brewing in the gourd, La Mejor gives off a nice nuttiness.

Taste

La Mejor may have one of the most unique and complex flavor profiles I’ve ever come across. Strong yet smooth at the same time, its classic earth and hay notes create the foundation for this mate’s luscious dark chocolate tone. Dive deeper, and you’ll swim through its burnt rubber and minerally essence. Pay closer attention, and you’ll then discover a nuttiness cowering behind it all.

In the beginning, La Mejor is a bit harsh and off-putting. After toughing it out for 2-3 refills though, it starts to simmer into a nice sweetness.

Definitely not something I’d recommend to a beginner, La Mejor will find a better home among the more experienced. Its flavor profile requires a more seasoned palate to be fully appreciated. But if you’re up for the challenge, by all means, go for it.

I find La Mejor to do best at water temperatures of around 150-160ºF (66-71ºC). Any hotter, and you’ll bring out more of its harsh elements.

Finish

After swallowing, La Mejor leaves behind a bitter taste with some notes of hay and rubber. But when I get into the second half, chewy marshmallows take over. Sweet and delightful, the finish lasts a short 30 seconds or so.

Body/Texture

La Mejor is a full-bodied mate. Sipping this mate will quickly show you who’s boss. This mate is bold, heavy, and creamy. At times, the texture of La Mejor can be grainy and grippy – each sip dries out my mouth. It’s almost as if it does this purposefully to force me to keep drinking. For me, this firmness is unpleasant.

Cycle

La Mejor features a medium-to-long cycle. This mate starts off strong with robust flavors. Then quickly weakens by the 5th refill. However by this point, it lasts on and on. With the gourd pictured in this review, I can finish 3/4 to a full liter.

Cut

Fede Rico La Mejor contains a Uruguayan cut. But don’t be fooled… This mate comes from Paraguay. It’s composed mostly of finely-cut leaves and dust. Palos are barely noticeable in the bag. Thanks to this blend, preparation is made easy. The leaves and dust make building the mountain of mate a breeze. Just be sure to push the yerba to one side from time to time to prevent your bombilla from clogging.

Effect

If you’re looking for a quick energy boost, La Mejor is perfect for you. This mate not only boasts a strong taste, but strong effects as well.

You need to be careful though. There have been several times when La Mejor has made me jittery. But it’s rare. Often, I experience intense focus, uplifting mood, and bursts of energy. Reach for this when you’re tired or need to get a big project done. La Mejor is almost akin to energy drinks and preworkouts.

Because of its instant caffeine hit, I would only recommend drinking this in the morning. Any other time of the day and it might be too much to handle.

Fede Rico La Mejor Yerba Mate Review

Fede Rico La Mejor is a polarizing brand.

Robust and rugged, if you want to enjoy this mate, you might need to prepare yourself. This is not for the weak. Its unusual notes make it hard to leave a good first impression. But if you keep drinking it, La Mejor will eventually grow on you.

La Mejor translates to The Best in English.

Although I wouldn’t agree it’s the best, I would say it’s one of the most unique mates I’ve ever tried, and that itself makes it a must-try on my list.

Now, I wouldn’t buy this mate again or drink it daily, but who knows… you might.

If you’re into dark, rich, muscular mates, then this one is for you.

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store where we offer yerba mate, mate gourds, and bombillas.