Rosamonte

My yerba mate of choice, with assertive taste, solid earthy background and distinct smoky notes. Turns out equally good with hot water, cold water or even icy water in summer.

Rosamonte is one of the pillars of the yerba mate world, and their Seleccion Especial is arguably the best expression of the brand. It’s said to be one of the smokiest major brands.

The leaf cut is fairly large, with a moderate amount of powder and stick. The stick is pretty varied in size, from short, fat pieces to long and slender ones.

It smells like, well, mate. Hard to pull many notes from nosing it.

Flavor-wise, Rosamonte is dominated by heavy notes of smoke, earth, and tobacco. The smoke is interesting — it’s a little more ethereal than the smoke of, say, a lapsang souchong or an Islay scotch. A hint of salt comes through, with a slightly sour finish that seems to last forever.

This is a heavy, hard-hitting mate that works best hot. I’ve tried it terere, but it didn’t have the brighter notes you find in Paraguayan brands, so it tastes a bit flat.

Rosamonte has been a staple “tea” of mine for a number of years. Even after trying many other brands, I always return to Rosamonte. It’s strong but not overwhelming. It’s smoky, but I consider it fragrant smoke rather than ashtray smoke. The character of this mate really shines when prepared in a gourd, which brings a resinous quality out of this yerba.

love the smoky notes. it’s the perfect morning companion at the office. :)

Amigo, how have I missed you! Its been 5 kilos since we met. Remember the times you revived me those many mornings with a calm smoky buzzed assurance. We drank all day. Its hard to believe those many pubmed articles on your PAH levels, but I really had to move onto tea for my health. My gourd is empty but your company will always be mi corazon.

The smokiest mate I’ve had yet. Careful with the steep time on this one it can become very bitter. Have yet to try it tereré styled with cold water instead of hot and infusing it with various herbs and citrus juices

I drink this Monday – Friday at work everyday from 11am – 3pm afternoons. It has a nice caffeine pick me up. Yerba Mate is so cheap – 1KG (2.2 pounds) for about $6. It will last me about 2 years! Yerba is good with honey, sugar, or mixing other teas to it. I don’t do the gourd / silver straw ritual, instead steep with a tea ball. If I was on a desert island that had hot water, this would be added to my suitcase.

10/11/12 – Taking a break from tea today, went to the bottom office drawer for my first love – Rosamonte Mate. Wow, haven’t had it in awhile, strong, and good!

5/15/2013 – I finished the bag awhile ago. Mission accomplished. Nice strong taste, interested in the Rosamonte Especial now.

lotsa caffeine. couldn’t sleep

This is my favorite Yerba Mate. I drink it every morning at work (despite the comments about my “bong”). It has a slight, yet not unpleasant, smoky flavor. Of all the yerbas I have tried, maybe 15 different brands, Rosamonte definitely has the most kick to it. As good as a strong cup of coffee. I generally enjoy it out of a ceramic “gourd”, mainly because it is easier to clean up when at work, but occasionally use a wooden mate. I do not add sugar or anything else. I like the bitter yerba taste, and especially the aftertaste. Available in the US from many internet vendors, and now my local Asian supermarket started carrying it along with several other varieties of Yerba Mate

bustin’ out the yerba. I’m very happy with the quality and flavor of this yerba.

One of my favorites!

drinking @ work

I lived in Chile for two years, and was introduced to maté there. In Latin America (esp. Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil, and Chile) maté is a social drink, shared between a group of people who drink from the same straw.

It is drunk using a gourd—which can actually be made of metal, ceramics, wood or an actual, dried gourd—and a metal straw called the bombilla. The dry herb is placed in the gourd and hot water, usually from a thermos, is poured regularly into it. In other words, the gourd is the tea bag and the straw acts as the filter, keeping the herb from being sucked in.

There are a lot of opinions on how to best prepare maté. Here is a video, produced by someone else, explaining how I do it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTH1Ilbs3CM.

Rosamonte is perhaps the most typical and popular brand in Argentina. It is also one of the strongest.

Do not drink this tea after dinner, it is very strong, but very good.

The flavor is deep and rich, with an aroma which reminds me of a good pipe tobacco. Some bitterness, as I’d expect in any substantial yerba mate. This has stems included. Some mate drinkers claim that the stem has more theobromine than the leaf, and that consequently yerba ‘con palo’ (with stems) produces more euphoria in the drinker. I’ve not been drinking YM long enough to have an opinion about stems. I bought a kilo of this, and I’m glad I did. Really energizing, and in a good way.