Union Suave is my first suave brand. And if I had to sum up my overall experience in one word, it’d be strange.

Everything I imagined this yerba to be, it was not.

That could just be because of my poor speculation, but nonetheless, Union Suave is not my (literal) cup of tea.

If you’re wondering why, I’ll tell you all about it in this Union Suave Yerba Mate Review. Below, you’re about to find out what this mate smells like, tastes like, and much more.

Ready?

Nose

Once I opened a bag of Union Suave, I was pleasantly surprised. It has a very potent and strong smell containing delectable notes of cereal (Frosted Flakes), citrus fruits, and a honey undertone. Definitely one of the best and most complex aromas I’ve ever smelled from a yerba mate. It also contains classic notes of hay and wood. However, when brewing in the gourd, Union Suave loses all its strength, releasing only subtle notes of its unique cereal note.

Taste

When it comes to taste, Union Suave is nothing like how it smells. Expect to experience this overpowering floral and soil note with a light hint of woods and a nuttiness hiding in the background. Union also opens with a unique saltiness then closes with a sourness that’s typical mostly in Paraguayan yerba mates.

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Now usually, I love a good floral note. But the way it’s presented here in Union Suave, I can’t stand it. Luckily, as I move towards the second half of this mate, it starts to lighten up and grant a sweetness to make up for its earlier astringency.

I found Union Suave to do best in hotter water temps of around 165-175ºF (74-79ºC) as it disguises the floral note with a caramel note.

Finish

After swallowing, Union leaves a refreshing finish behind composed of fresh mint leaves and a slight bitterness. Light and mild, the finish only lasts 30 seconds before disappearing.

Body/Texture

Union Suave is a light-bodied mate. From beginning to end, it’s mild and watery. Definitely great for beginners who can’t handle a heavy and muscular body. This mate ebbs and flows with ease.

Cycle

Union Suave has a short-to-medium cycle. In the gourd pictured in this review, I can finish up to about 1/2-3/4 of a liter. This mate washes out quickly as well.

Cut

The cut of this mate is unique. Union Suave features an Argentinian cut. But because this bag is suave, it contains more palos than usual to give it its smooth taste.

The palos range from small short ones to large thick ones. Leaves are mostly broadly-cut with a nice light green color. Some are smoked to a dark brown or even black. There’s also plenty of dust, making it easy to maintain the mountain of mate. Clouds of powder billow out of the bag when pouring the yerba into my gourd.

Effect

Union Suave is nothing extraordinary when it comes to effect. I experience the usual effects of calmness, better focus, and high energy. But all of it is subtle. It doesn’t jump out at you like something with more caffeine would such as coffee, or a brand of mate like Taragui. Union is more friendly and kind.

This mate is an all-day mate. You can drink it in the morning, afternoon, or evening and not have to worry about a thing. It’s also a great mate to have good conversation over as Union Suave can be a good introduction into yerba mate for beginner palates.

Union Suave Yerba Mate Review

(Gourd Available Here!)

Overall, Union Suave is not the mate for me. Despite hearing all the good things about it, I can’t seem to find myself liking it no matter how many times I try it.

I will admit, however, that the second half of Union – when it gets watered down – is fantastic.

For beginners, this mate’s light body, mild taste, and easy preparation may be everything you’re looking for and more.

If you’re interested in giving Union Suave a try,

Amazon 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

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store for more yerba mate items.