Guayaki

So, I went to the supermarket today with someone I know, because she doesn’t have a car, and she needs someone to push the cart back to the dorms for her. I didn’t have anything better to do anyway. She buys a lot of stuff at once, and I’m more prone to going to the market once or twice a week on bike, and getting small batches of food. So I got an issue of Newsweek, A bunch of bananas, and I noticed this tea, so I grabbed it to.

Initial thought upon sipping this – it tastes like Lipton’s. Perhaps I haven’t had a cup of Lipton’s in a while, but the taste seemed rather similar – better, though. I think what did it for me, is my memories with tea when I was younger, when my mother made it for me when i was sick. It was a bag of Lipton, with sugar and lemon. (A small note – she still drinks it that way, though I’ve tried to open her to good teas.)
So, I checked the ingredients, and – lo and behold: Evaporated Cane Juice, and Lemon Juice. I think it was those two ingredients, mixed in with the fact that this brew has such a light flavor – none of the peculiar, arguably unpleasant, tastes you get when you brew mate yourself. I’m assuming they don’t want to scare away a potential market that can’t handle weird, strong tastes.

In general, I like it. Not something I’d pick up when I was craving mate, but it’s a nice alternative to soda to keep around – well, it would be, if it weren’t five times as expensive. But, maybe for someone that’s an addict to getting grandesupermochafrappacappaccinoextrahotextrafoamwhippedcreamplease coffee at Starbucks or something, this would be a healthier outlet for the money.
It’s a tasty brew, and maybe worth picking up a bottle every time I go to the supermarket – five or ten bucks a week won’t kill me.

When I was fourteen or fifteen I signed up to go on a mission trip because a girl I liked was going on it. So I flew to Argentina from the God Bless the U. S. of A., because it seemed like a better idea than just asking her to the movies or something. In fact, if I ever say, “Man, I’ve got a great story,” and you interrupt me and demand to know if there is a female in it, and I say “no”, I’m lying about it being a great story or about being a female in it.

While down there I was introduced to this whole mate business. I was also introduced to this whole caffeine business, which I didn’t really understand prior to drinking a ton of this at 11pm at night and then not sleeping. At all.

As far as the caffeine content goes, yeah, it’s on the high side, but black coffee (which is rare) gives me jitters, while mate doesn’t. I think that Guayaki is the closest thing to name brand mate in the USA. Pretty good stuff.

My first experience with this tea wasn’t the best. But it’s grown on me over time. I now drink this every morning. I enjoy using the loose leaf tea with my cast-iron tea pot, as it really adds to the whole “tea making” experience. Contrasted against the boring tea pouches you drop in your cup.

I recommend this to all my friends already, so I’ll recommend it to you.

hands down the best feeling pick-me-up for any hour of the day or night

Quite enjoyable. Just what I needed to warm me up before heading off to Mt. Rainier today!

Very tasty. Mate + chai = win.

Delicious and very energizing!

I love mate. Straight, no sweetener. Pure high octane to the head.

I love Yerba Mate! One reason why I love it is that it seems to increase my metabolism, allows me to feel hungry more frequently between meals, and (I think) has helped me lose weight. Yerba Mate has a grassy flavor. I enjoy preparing this (and all my tea) with Stevia.

This tea is excellent iced ot hot. The flavor takes some getting used to, as it is a little strong ad grass, like most mate’. It has less caffeine than coffee, but enough to give you a boost when you need it.

I drink it daily. Strong and energizing, great for staving off the after-lunch drowsiness.

Compares to a strong green camellia tea, but Mum says I can re-steep thrice, and below boiling. Energizing.

Giving it another whirl…

First off, this stuff smells sooooo good. Orange blossomy with just a hint of cherry. I have to be honest, I’m more interested in the history, culture, and supposed benefits of this tea than I am the taste. It’s not as potent as I’d like it to be, so maybe two bags next time. If it improves my ability to concentrate this AM, I will surely forgive it 100 percent for tasting weak.

Had two cups today. Helped to wake me up a bit and feel at peace, but perhaps I went too far because now I’m feeling pretty overly emotional. Um?

This was very different and kind of hard for me to describe. It’s almost like a coffee/tea blend, I guess you could say. It definitely has a slight coffee taste to it and has some creamy, nutty flavors to it. I really liked it and felt like it helped to wake me up and allow me to think clearly. Could be purely psychological. I’ll let you know as I try more of it in the future. :o)