When shopping around for yerba mate, you’ll inevitably come across a bag with suave written on it and think, What’s the difference?

Well in today’s post, we’re going to uncover the mystery behind what this mate is, and I’m going to do my best to answer any possible questions you might have about it.

Let’s start…

What Is Suave Yerba Mate?

Suave in Spanish translates to soft/gentle/mild in English.

And that’s exactly what suave yerba mates are…

… a more soft, gentle, and mild version of the traditional version.

Almost all yerba mate brands have their own.

For example, Rosamonte also has a Rosamonte Suave. Pipore also has a Pipore Suave. And Sara also has a Sara Extra Suave (it’s the same thing). So on and so forth.

Now how they achieve this suave flavor is the million-dollar question.

But it’s actually very simple…

All they do is add 20% more palos (stems/twigs) to the yerba.

Palos are what give the mate a smoother flavor.

That’s why whenever you open a bag of yerba and see a bunch of sticks, you can usually expect a weaker strength.

Suave mates have a lot more palos compared to their traditional counterparts. You’ll notice it the second you open up the bag.

Sometimes, the leaves are bigger to help slow down the extraction rate because the longer it takes to extract, the milder the brew. Of course, this depends on how long you steep the mate, but when prepared traditionally, it’s only a few seconds. At most, a minute.

Suave mates may also have less polvo (dust) than the original because polvo is what gives the mate a fuller body. The less dust, the smoother the texture. The more dust, the grainier/creamier the texture.

Now that you know how suave yerba mates are made, let’s see how they compare to traditional yerba mates.

Does Suave Yerba Mate Taste Different?

A common question most people have is whether suave yerbas taste the same as the traditional.

I know…

I thought the same too at first. I thought they’d taste no different. But fortunately, after trying a few suave brands along with their traditional brand, I can tell you for a fact that they are almost nothing alike. But not only that, for my palate, they taste better than the original.

While traditional Rosamonte was smoky, citrusy, and nutty, Rosamonte Suave was more minty, sweet, and woody.

While traditional Pipore was earthy, salty, and toffee-like, Pipore Suave was more grassy, bready, and nutty.

And while traditional Sara was grassy, peanut buttery, and minerally, Sara Extra Suave was also grassy, but more buttery and figgy.

Although suave yerba mates are a twist of the original, they can easily be turned into their own brand.

If you were blindfolded and I handed you two gourds of mate to try – one being Rosamonte, the other being Rosamonte Suave – I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t be able to tell that they’re related. The contrast in taste is too different. Now, this doesn’t apply to all suave yerbas, but this seems to be the case for most.

Are Suave Yerba Mates More Relaxing?

A common (but plausible) misconception most people have is that suave brands are more relaxing in effect.

If it tastes mild, then its effects are mild too, right?

Not necessarily.

Of the three suave brands I’ve tried, there was barely a difference in effect. They were just as stimulating as their traditional blend.

When it comes to yerba mate, taste doesn’t always correlate with effect.

Sometimes a brand can be mild-tasting but super energizing, while another brand can be strong-tasting but very relaxing.

It’s really the luck of the draw.

However, suave yerba mates could contain less caffeine than traditional brands because they contain a higher percentage of palos, which likely don’t contain as much caffeine (if any) as leaves, though it’s still probably not a significant amount to write off about. Hence, why the difference in effect isn’t drastically noticeable.

But there is something about suave yerbas that can make you feel more relaxed…

And that’s its strength.

Because suave brands are soft, mellow, and smooth, it can make you feel somewhat the same way. Likewise, how harsh and smoky brands can help you wake up with its strong bitterness. The same can be applied to coffee. What’s going to wake up your senses more, a sip of regular coffee or a sip of espresso? Probably the espresso.

Should You Drink Suave Yerba Mates?

I always thought suave yerba mates weren’t worth the time or money.

I used to think if I liked the traditional blend already, what’s the point of trying the suave (or any other version). But as you’ve just learned, suave brands are a yerba mate of their own.

If you tried the traditional and liked/didn’t like it, there’s still a chance you may like the suave.

That was the case for me.

Although I liked Rosamonte, Pipore, and Sara, their suave versions tasted much better in my opinion, especially Rosamonte Suave. So I’d say you should definitely try the suave blends even if you don’t like the traditional.

Final Words

Suave yerba mates are a gift to the mate world.

With their soft and unique flavor, not only are they a great introduction for beginner palates, but it’s also a must-try (and staple) for experienced drinkers looking for a change of pace.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my strong earthy and smoky mates too.

But there’s a time and place for it just like there’s a time and place for suave mates.

Nothing warms my body and calms my nerves more than a mild and smooth-tasting gourd of mate. And suave yerbas are perfect for just that.

So if you haven’t already, give them a try.

You just might like it more than the original.

P.S. If you enjoyed this article, you might also want to check out our store for some of the best yerba mate equipment available.