Residing in the lush verdure of San Diego

I haven’t done a review on any yerba mate (ma-tay) beverage in quite a while, so I figured it was about time, and I just so happened to stumble upon this while browsing in Vons down in SD.

My last experience with mate was mixed, although it leaned toward the positive.  Guayaki is an environmentally responsible company, which I fully support, and it’s supposed to be good for you too. Dig it.

This drink has the distinct scent of the mate, herb-y and tea-like, with the sweet overtone of pomegranate.  The tastes mix well, the pomegranate doesn’t cover up the mate, and it has a pleasantly dry, minty finish.  Yup, it has a hint of mint in the bottle.  I really liked this one.  Very flavorful.

Purified water, organic cane juice, organic pomegranate fruit juice concentrate, organic manioc root starch, organic pomegranate natural flavor, citric acid, and a list of herbals make up this fine beverage.

For someone seeking the same benefits of tea but doesn’t like it, this is a simple and interesting alternative.  You can even order online.  Do I sound like a commercial for this beverage yet?

Score: 4.5 out of 5.

– WiseGuise

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Aroma : The olfactory clout of the Yerba Mate strikes you upon cracking the seal, a distinct, herby bouquet with a hint of ginseng, mixed with an orangey citrus that wants to make a home in your nasal cavity.

Taste : The initial taste is a mildy sweet, tangy citrus flavor (that would be the tangerine, orange and acerola), followed by the wild flavor of Yerba Mate. For the uninitiated, this comes as a surprise. It is an audacious, herbal, tea-like, and almost bitter taste, sweeping away the sweetness of the cane sugar and leaving your tongue cottony after swallowing. It is quite the experience.

Price : $2.09 at Good Earth, also available at many health-food stores nationwide, or order online.

Ingredients : An Infusion of: (Purified Water, *Guayakí Yerba Mate, *Siberian Ginseng Root), *Evaporated Cane Juice, *Tangerine Fruit Juice Concentrate, *Acerola puree, *Yerba Mate Extract, *Manioc Root Starch, *Orange Natural Flavor, Original Himalayan Crystal Salt, Citric Acid (* Indicates a Certified Organic Ingredient).

Other Comments : It is quite refreshing to see a company so committed to the environment; Guayakí’s well-designed website makes note of their efforts which include using solar energy, bio-fueled vehicles, and renewable organic ingredients.

Overall : This is an antioxidant- and energy-rich drink that is a welcome alternative to the Energy Drink craze, most of which are filled with HFCS, carbonation, and unhealthy levels of unnaturally derived supplements. That being said, a beverage that surprises you each time you sip it and leaves your mouth feeling dry may not be for everyone, despite its benefits.

Rating : 3.5/5 stars.

-WiseGuise

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