Sara — 3.85 of 5 palos — reviewed 4/10/2012
Type: Traditional
Region: Brazil. Carrau & CIA
Description:
“100% Organic” Brazilian grown yerba, similar to nature as DelC (Del Cebador) and Canarias, but is much flatter and smoother than both. Think of Sara as the soda that’s been left open for a few hours, less poppy and snappy, but still tasty. Smooth as butter; sort of a Nobleza Gaucha, Traditional Guayakí, and Canarias mixology. A bit uninteresting and shallow for a Brazilian yerba. Somewhat lacking the sort of robustness and boldness you’d expect from Brazil. Still, a nice, rich, tasty yerba that you can rely on.
Cut 4.00 palos
Nice fine Brazilian cut. Typical “Gaucho” blend of evenly cut leaves and a healthy amount of polvo. Nice lime green hue, as with many aged yerba from that region. Good PPL-R for a Gaucho blend.
Body/Texture/Taste 3.75 palos
Rich and smooth profile. Typical Brazilian character and full body, but smoother than, say, a Canarias; less edgy than MF (Mate Factor); not as delicious as DelC (Del Cebador). Some rubber notes. Slightly astringent. Cacao. Dark chocolate. Light on the palate. Significantly less ovaltine and malt than DelC.
Nose 3.75 palos
Sweet and clean. Slight coffee bean hints. Some ovaltine. Bright spring freshness.
Finish 3.75 palos
Consistent finish. Smooth: almost too smooth for pleasure. You don’t the same kaleidoscope of flavor profiles as DelC or Canarias, such as: cinnamon, tiramisu cake, nutmeg, etc.. It’s a much more docile and obedient mid-palate to finish.
Cycle 4.10 palos
Excellent long cycle. Stable, lasting taste. Even green-tead, this yerba is pretty tasty.
Overall: 3.90 palos
Recommendation
With heavyweights like Canarias and DelC out there, it’s hard to go out of your way to start drinking Sara; not easy to justify it! However, if you’re looking for a very smooth and less “Gaucho-esque” sort of Brazilian yerba, then Sara is a great direction. With an excellent long cycle, this yerba won’t disappoint any lover of Gaucho mate.
Que sera, sara. You ever blend your mate? Today I’m going 70/30 Rosamonte/Canarias. It’s a delight.
No, I’ve never blended but I suppose I will one day… still trying to master the individuals tastes. Let us know how it works for you…
You may be onto something.
Sorry information not correct: CORRECTION:
“Sara” registered mark in Uruguay Country.-
This organic tea or “YERBA MATE” (spanish-name) is original Brazil product and packaged .-
But….consumer in Uruguay, not Brazil , for trade mark-
If brazilian citizen are consumer this : “SARA” have for Import that Uruguay.-
This es really, and legal situation that SARA.-
Sara- is property that -Carrau & company.- This firm is antique property that one ancient
uruguayan family: CARRAU.-
Uruguayan citizen, profession: advoccate.- Eduar.-
Okay, thanks for this explanation, but I don’t think that my message deviated from your response. Yes, as I stated, the YERBA MATE was grown in Brazil.
I have no doubt that it’s a Uruguayan company, as I purchased the yerba in Colonia and can see on the package that it’s Uruguayan. But as you know, Uruguay outsources all it’s growing to Brazil; hence, I call it “Brazilian” not “Uruguayan.”
Si preferís, podemos charlar en castellano.
Abrazo!
Dave Mate