La Hoja Yerba Mate is a blessing in disguise.

And by that I mean, the packaging isn’t the best at portraying how delicious this mate really is.

From my last yerba mate haul back in January, La Hoja was one of the 10 brands I bought. From just looking at it’s bag, I never had an urge to try it. This just goes to show how important a company’s packaging is, but more importantly, to never judge a brand by its cover.

I’ve made this mistake in the past with the brand Selecta (which has become one of my favorites of all time) and I guess you can say I didn’t learn my lesson because La Hoja is another hidden gem among the more popular well-known brands.

If you’re wondering how good this really tastes, keep reading this La Hoja Yerba Mate Review to discover how wrong I was in misjudging it.

Nose

By smelling the bag of La Hoja, you get a good sense of what’s to come. The scent is similar to how it tastes. A classic earthy yerba mate aroma with a delicate sweet note. When brewing in the gourd, La Hoja smells the same but with hints of toast, cinnamon and spices.

Taste

From the beginning, La Hoja wakes up your palate with delicious notes of bread and oats. Then, believe it or not, it transitions into a flavor very similar to black tea with milk and a sprinkle of sugar added. No harsh bitterness or smokiness is found in this mate.

This is something I’ve never experienced before. It’s not a flavor profile I’d expect to find in a mate either. But boy does it taste good. La Hoja is linear in taste. The flavor stays the same for the majority of the mate for further enjoyment and indulgence.  After the first few refills, you won’t even remember you’re drinking yerba mate.

I found La Hoja to do best in water temperature of around 140-150ºF (60-66ºC).

Finish

After swallowing, La Hoja leaves a lasting impression on your palate. Starting with a light sourness that quickly goes away which then transforms into a tasty roasted peanut seasoned with salt. The finish lasts 1-2 minutes.

Body/Texture

La Hoja features a light-to-medium body. The first several refills are packed with flavor and carry a bit of weight. But after this, the mate continues on to the end with a mild and smooth texture.

La Hoja will find good company with beginner’s, and be a good friend to materos who are looking for a lighter mate without sacrificing flavor. Charming and delightful, this mate seduces the palate with its roundness and soft features.

Cycle

La Hoja has a short cycle. Unfortunately, with the gourd pictured, I can only finish up to 1/2-3/4 of a liter before its flavor is completely washed out. But throughout this short period of time, La Hoja maintains its strength so you get the most out of its lifespan. It’s flavors don’t gradually fade away, rather, quickly drops.

Cut

This mate features a classic Argentine cut with brown, light and dark green leaves. Some are coarsely cut while some are pulverized. Plenty of giant white and brown palos. Dust content is moderate – enough to keep the mountain of mate in place. Overall, a beautiful cut with bright and dark tones. Easy to prepare and easy to filter.

Effect

If you want to be more cool, calm, and collected, La Hoja is for you.

Whenever I drink this, I become much more relaxed. Although this mate helps with focus and concentration, it mostly has a way of slowing things down and taking you back to the present moment.

Whether it’s because of a lower content in caffeine or not, I’m not sure. But whatever it is, I’ve found La Hoja best for unwinding. Its unique taste isn’t something you want to give your undivided attention to. So take a seat, kick back, pour yourself a gourd, and immerse yourself in the flavors of La Hoja.

Jitters are never a problem with this mate, making it great for any hour of the day.

La Hoja Yerba Mate Review

Despite its low popularity, La Hoja stands out more than any other brand I’ve tried and delivers a flavor profile I can’t stop drinking.

If you’re tired of all the typical strong, robust, and in-your-face mates, this is a great divergence from them.

Don’t let its packaging fool you like it did to me.

La Hoja is a humble and modest mate. Drinkers who appreciate nuance and complexity will find this brand to be magnificent. Materos that are fans of Playadito or Kraus, will love this mate as well.

Steer clear from the crowd of popular mates, and give La Hoja the chance to impress you as it disguises itself in a familiar (yet better) taste.

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