Looking to buy Selecta Yerba Mate but don’t know if it’s worth trying?
Well, I didn’t have high hopes for it either.
The packaging doesn’t help too. It always reminded me of commercials who try to use the attractiveness of a women to seduce you into buying a product. But I digress. Selecta simply never gave me a good first impression.
But all this quickly changed once I tried it.
I’ve been drinking it for weeks. Nonstop. Every morning. Sometimes twice a day. In fact, I’m drinking it right now as we speak.
It’s an excellent mate I don’t see many people talk about.
And you might think if that’s the case, Selecta must be a bad brand.
But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you want to find out just how good this mate tastes, then keep reading this Selecta Yerba Mate Review.
Nose
To the nose, Selecta gives off a smokey aroma which makes me think of backyard barbecues and fire pits. But underneath it is a unique sweetness which balances it out to make the smell of this mate very pleasant. A light citrus and earthy note is present as well. However, when brewing in the gourd, Selecta has this delicious aroma of candied nuts.
Taste
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With such a promising and unique nose, Selecta carries this same momentum into its taste. The second I took a sip, I was welcomed with the classic earthiness of all yerba mates, but with a more overpowering grass note.
What separates this brand from most, however, is its distinct dried fruit taste. I thought Kraus had a good fruity flavor, but Selecta is much more pronounced. It hits you with figs, prunes, and essences of oranges. All of this with a bready and woodsy overtone. The flavors of this mate harmonize beautifully together and is packed with flavor. There’s nothing smokey, harsh, or astringent about this mate.
Selecta works best with lower water temperatures of around 140-150ºF (60-66ºC). With cooler temps, the more its unique fruitiness is revealed. If you’re looking for a more earthy and toast-like flavor, go a little hotter.
Finish
After swallowing, Selecta still keeps the flavors flowing but changes. What was just sweet, now turns into a slight bitterness with a classic Paraguayan sour note. The finish lasts for a minute.
Body/Texture
Selecta is a medium-to-full bodied mate. It has a smooth creamy texture that coats the inside of your mouth. I find it strikes the perfect balance in weight – not too light and watery, and not too heavy and thick.
Cycle
When it comes to duration, Selecta has a medium cycle. In the gourd pictured, I can enjoy a little more than 3/4 of a liter. The flavor also doesn’t die down fast. Instead, it slowly weakens. It maintains its strength until the last few refills which is incredible.
Cut
Selecta features a Paraguayan cut. It’s grown and harvested in Bella Vista, Paraguay. Aged for two years, you get a good balance of medium-cut leaves and pulverized leaves. Palos are abundant and come in many shapes and sizes. Dust content is moderate. Overall, the appearance of Selecta reminds me of wood chip mulch.
Thanks to the polvo and pulverized leaves, preparation is easy as the mountain of mate easily holds itself together. The giant stems help with filtration as well.
Effect
Selecta Yerba Mate is great when it comes to effect. If you’re looking to feel awake in the morning, this is perfect. I’ve been having to wake up at 6am the past few weeks with only 5 hours of sleep (which is not typical for me – I usually sleep 8 hours).
But guess what?
Each morning I woke up with little sleep, Selecta always gave me exactly what I needed. Quick long-lasting energy, focus, and an uplifting mood. It is best consumed when you need to get work done or even as a preworkout before the gym.
Drinking this mate makes me feel like I can do anything. Whatever the day has in store for me, I’m able to tackle head-on. This won’t have you jumping off the walls either. Just pure, clean energy.
I find Selecta to be best enjoyed in the morning or afternoon. I don’t recommend it for the evening as it might keep you up.
Selecta Yerba Mate Review
Selecta Yerba Mate is a gem.
If you’re looking for a simple and tasty mate, this will make you fall in love.
Of all the brands I’ve tried, there’s nothing that tastes like Selecta.
This easy-going, delicious and reliable yerba mate is one I can drink forever.
I guess the packaging suckered me into it after all…
I finished an entire kilo in about 3 weeks and I enjoyed every sip of it. This is definitely going to be a brand I’ll be buying over and over again.
If you’re interested in trying Selecta,
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P.S. If you enjoyed this review of Selecta, you might also want to check out our store for yerba mate samplers, gourds, and more.
Great review. However, I never really enjoyed the standard Selecta, but Selecta Premium is one of my absolute favorites – strong, bold and smoky combined with a slight sourness and some sweetness. Really great. I hope you get to taste and review it one day. Keep up the good work, I like reading your reviews.