Mate Factor — 3.25 of 5 palos — reviewed 12/11/2011
Type: Traditional
Region: Campo Largo, Southern Brazil
Description:
This is a very rich mate. Within 5 days of harvesting, this mate is vacuum sealed and shipped; there is no aging process. As a result, vital nutrients are preserved, though, perhaps at the expense of a more rounder and balanced flavor profile. Initial tastes: Grassy, algae, chlorophyll. Middle: Rich, Guinness Stout, hot chocolate, matlty, tiramisu cake, roasted oats, baked bread. Finish: Milk chocolate, caramel.
Cut Type 2.75 palos
Small cut with splinter palos (twigs). A bit mushy when hot water is added — prone to clogging bombilla. Very low polvo (powder) amount, which hurts overall taste, but helps to smooth out the mate.
Body/Texture 3.75 palos
Full body. Bold flavors. Silky, creamy, syrupy. Holds taste very well for first several cycles, then quickly plummets to a lavado mate.
Nose 3.75 palos
Sweet cake, cinnamon, hazelnut, hot chocolate with sugar, marshmallow, smores, oaky, malt liquor, aged scotch whiskey.
Finish 3.5 palos
Fantastic finish with hot chocolate and Guinness Stout and caramel profiles.
Cycle 2.5 palos
Very short cycle.
Overall: 3.25 palos
Recommendation
For more experienced mate drinkers who wish to widen their palates. Hot chocolate and espresso lovers will be pleased with this dark, rich body of this mate.
Rosamonte and
Amanda drinkers should definitely give this mate a shot.
Read our 2012 review of Mate Factor >>
