I’ve been addicted…
To Paraguayan mate that is.
After my first taste with the brand La Rubia, I couldn’t believe what I had my hands on.
They almost taste completely different from all the others.
Paraguayan mates are rich, smooth, and complex – things I look for when it comes to enjoying a delicious brew of mate. And Pajarito, my second brand of Paraguayan mate, confirms my love for it.
Whether this is your first time or hundredth time hearing about this mate, if you’re wondering how it tastes, then keep reading this Pajarito Yerba Mate Review…
Nose
To the nose, Pajarito has a unique sourness and saltiness to it I’ve never come across before. Strangely enough, it smells like dill pickles to me. Underneath this though is a natural hay smell. Nothing earthy or smoky is present. When brewing in the gourd, however, a grassy note similar to Kraus rises into the air.
Taste
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Pajarito is a complex and ever-changing mate. When you really dig deep and pay attention, you’ll find things you’ve never thought you would.
Typical of Paraguayan yerba mates, Pajarito also features a classic sour note but it’s very faint (which is to my liking). Balancing out this sourness is a grassy and floral punch with fruity and woodsy undertones. Again, very reminiscent of the brand Kraus. Although smoked in the drying process, I didn’t taste anything smokey with this mate. The flavors also work together perfectly.
I find Pajarito to do best in water temperatures around 160-170ºF (71-77ºC).
Finish
After swallowing, Pajarito spices things up and leaves behind a hint of black pepper and keeps a bit of its fruitiness. The finish lasts around a minute, holding you up long enough until your next sip.
Body/Texture
Pajarito features a medium-body. Not too heavy and not too light, but just enough to make itself known. The texture of this mate is silky smooth. It seamlessly flows in and out making it a pleasure to sip. No harshness or astringency on the tongue.
Cycle
Pajarito has a medium cycle. I can finish about 3/4 to 1 liter with this mate. What’s even better is the flavor holds up all the way until the end. Instead of taking a noticeable plunge, the mate gradually loses its flavor after each refill. This lets you experience its deliciousness for as long as possible.
Cut
Pajarito contains a Paraguayan cut. Finely chopped leaves are mixed with larger, broad-cut leaves and blended nicely together with a healthy amount of polvo. Sprinkled atop are short and long white palos. Expect to see some as long as one inch. Overall, Pajarito has a dark green shade with toasted brown leaves and stems here and there.
Preparation should be easy as there’s enough dust to hold your mountain of mate together, as well as filtration thanks to size and amount of palos.
Effect
The effects of Pajarito are nothing extraordinary. Rather, typical.
When I drink Pajarito, I typically experience better focus and concentration. I can almost feel the effects physically on my face. Along with these effects, Pajarito is also very relaxing. It calls your attention to the present moment and makes you breathe deeply.
This is the type of mate I would sip while writing, reading a good book, enjoying the nice weather outside, or when I’m around friendly company.
I wouldn’t use Pajarito as a way to wake myself up though because it’s not exactly energizing.
With that said, I would suggest Pajarito to be a good afternoon or evening mate. It can be great in the morning too, just don’t expect it to have you jumping off your seat.
Pajarito Yerba Mate Review
If you’re looking for a mate with complex notes and a smooth taste, Pajarito is the one.
There aren’t many brands of yerba mate I plan on buying again, but I’m convinced I will with Pajarito.
Ranging from its dominant grassy note to its more nuanced notes of florals, woods, and more, Pajarito is sure to swoop in and excite your palate with a rainbow of flavors. And you’re bound to become addicted to it just like I am.
Pajarito never bores me.
Even after finishing an entire kilo of this, I’m already looking to get again.
If you want to grab a bag yourself to see why I love it so much, and why this is the best-selling brand in Paraguay,
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P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store for gourds and bombillas.
Hi, today I opened my first ever bag of Pajarito. I think there is an interesting aroma of tobacco that I’m picking up throughout. After my second fill, I also picked up a subtle sweetness. Definitely looking forward to drinking more of Pajarito!
By the way I really appreciate the great work you’ve done on this website, helped me loads with my yerba mate matters 🙂 cheers
I like to use almost boiling water and just use 2 tea spoons of herb and let it infuse for a few minutes. I think it tastes quite smokey and there is some umami that I enjoy. I once had an extra aged organic despalado Paraguayan yerba that had the same character except is was aged in aromatic wooden (ceder?) huts also. It was a house brand of a French organic products store called Guayapi. That one was perfect but they stopped selling it. I wonder if Pajarito made it for them.