Tea Type: Yerba Mate

Where To Buy: The Tao of Tea

Product Description:

Native Name: Yerba Mate

Origin: Iguaçu Valley, Brazil

Plucking Season: Summer

Introduction: The forests of the Iguaçu Valley are ideal both in climate and soil for the best Yerba Mate. The Iguaçu, meaning ‘big water’, is home to an amazing array of flora and fauna as well as the breathtaking Iguaçu Falls.

Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is native to the region around the rivers Paraná, Paraguay, Uruguay and their tributaries. The herb was first used by the Guaraní, an important indigenous tribal people who traditionally prepare the beverage in a gourd (a ‘cuia’ or ‘mate’) and sip through a filtered straw (a ‘bomba’ or ‘bombilla’).

Yerba and Health
Similar to tea and dark chocolate, Yerba Mate contains the xanthines theobromine and caffeine known to increase mental alertness, focus and wakefulness. The herb is also rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals and has been used in Guaraní remedies for centuries. Traditionally it has been used as a diuretic, a digestive aid, and to ease asthmatic symptoms. Recent studies have shown Yerba Mate to contain a significant amount of antioxidants.

Flavor Profile: Cooling, clear, bitter sweet flavor notes.

Ingredients: 100% Organic Yerba Mate

Certified Organic by: Quality Assurance International (QAI)

Tasters Review:

When I received my package from The Tao Of Tea I was also going thru a Duran Duran Flashback/Kick or should I say my iPod Shuffle was forcing me into a Duran Duran Flashback!  This was one of the songs that has been following me around – it seems.  Anyhow, it just seemed fitting that I drink this while listening to Rio by Duran Duran, ya know!?

But…on to the actual Tea Review…

Rio from The Tao of Tea is a wonderful plain Yerba Mate or unflavored Yerba Mate.  Normally I don’t really get too excited about Yerba Mate’s unless they are wonderfully flavored or have something that really stand outs.  For me…this unflavored Yerba Mate was memorable because it was sweet, fresh, and clean tasting!  If you are looking for a good go-to or a solid stand-by to always have on hand I would say Rio from The Tao of Tea should be on that list!

I really LOVE The Tao of Tea because they have a really great selection of teas and tisanes!  They push organic and they focus on tea education, regions, history, and farmers!  Their customer service is really top-notch, too!  We have TONS of other reviews on tap for Tao of Teas so stay tuned!