I have a newfound respect for this yerba, after revisiting it 2 years later. For those that prefer a light, more green-teaish yerba, then this won’t be a problem, as you can continue to drink through the semi-washed to completely washed transitions (what I refer to as “green-teaing”). Lack of polvo increases the speed of cycle good for business, as you’ll use more yerba in the long run, but bad for overall experience of taste and cycle length. Cycle 2.90 palosĭecent short-to-mid cycle. Soft spoken, but not silent (as Playadito). Some astringency, but not too overwhelming and fierce (as La Tranquera). Without the polvo, the fragrance is less exposed but nonetheless, this yerba has quite pleasant bouquet. Nose 2.85 palosīeautifully clean nose with sweet subtle hints. Has an astringent kick that I’m not fond of at times, probably due to it being less aged. Good character and initial gaucho-like strength and boldness. The polvo acts as a sort of binding agent that any experienced cebador, or server, knows how to play with in order to extend the life, or cycle, of the yerba. With no polvo, the mate is less dimensional and the viscosity of the infusion is severely weakened (perhaps the nutritional value is compromised as well) you lose the malt-like flavor profiles which I believe balances not only the taste, but the environment of the yerba inside the gourd. Again, I think Eco Teas is taking the “American Palate” into consideration here, making a safe play by removing - in what I consider a vital ingredient - the polvo. This is an interesting, perhaps even confusing cut: It has Gaucho properties in that it’s finely ground and contains small, splinter palo, but it has absolutely no polvo very washed and “clean” sort of composition. With other major mate companies out there, one of which is regarded as the largest in the world, practicing, let’s say, “questionable” growing methods and using various non-organic fertilizers in their fields, companies like Eco Teas and Guayakí are setting the bar for keeping mate organic and fair trade here in our country. I’m proud of this company and have a lot of respect for what they’re doing. With their combined efforts of producing a USDA Organic and Fair Trade yerba, they are already on the summit of sustainability, socially conscious business, and, simply, just doing the right thing in the world. With that said, I’m super happy that Eco Teas sources their yerba from the Kraus family. I prefer Eco Tea less than any of the Kraus lines except the Silvestre, which includes mint, and isn’t a yerba that I drink too often (I’m more of a cimarrone sort of dude). It’s definitely more mellow, but I find it more astringent and tarty than the Kraus lines sold in Argentina. I contacted Eco Teas about it, but never received an answer (I’m currently in contact with Milton Kraus himself, so expect more details on this later).Įco Teas is apparently processed differently, resulting in a different taste, cycle length, and overall experience (perhaps, in Eco Teas’ words, a “better-suited,” more mellow taste for the American palate). Mind you, Eco Teas also offers a “Kraus” label of yerba, but the exact differences between their “Kraus” label, which seems to be a traditional yerba, and the four Kraus labels sold in Argentina, are still unknown to me. The main difference is cut: Eco Teas contains little to no palos, has a darker hue which may signify that it’s aged less, and has a smaller, more Gaucho-esque cut it essentially looks more polished and washed than the more rugged, rustic, and bohemian Pionero or Silvestre. However, the taste, texture, and composition of this yerba is significantly different from the Kraus labels sold in Argentina and other parts of the world: Orgánica, Silvestre, Pionero, and Gaucho. Though, I can appreciate the subtle and refined taste of it much better now.Įco Teas sources this yerba from the Kraus family of Oberá and San Ignacio Provinces of Misiones, Argentina. Now, years later, and after spending significant time in Argentina, drinking well over 30 varieties of yerba from Brazil to Uruguay to Buenos Aires, I am still left somewhat, but not totally, unimpressed with this yerba. Perhaps I was picking up on what I can now recognize as some “Gaucho Mate” properties, in terms of robustness and initial bursts of flavors. I remember calling it “smoky,” though this is declared an “unsmoked” mate. Albeit my mate palate wasn’t yet developed even remotely as it is now, over 2 years later of daily mate drinking, I was pretty indifferent to this yerba. It was significantly cheaper than the only other option, Guayakí, so I purchased a pound. This was the first yerba that I purchased from a United States store after returning from my second tour in Argentina and Uruguay in Spring 2010.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |