Ever curious about the rich tradition of yerba mate in Buenos Aires and how it intertwines with the local way of life for digital nomads, travelers, and expats alike?
ExpatPathways invites you to delve into “The 10 Best Yerba Mate Brands in Buenos Aires,” your ultimate guide to exploring the finest mate selections the city has to offer.
Embark on this cultural and flavorful odyssey with us, where each sip reveals stories of heritage and brings you closer to the communal heart of Argentine society.
Let this guide be your companion in discovering not just a beverage, but a key to unlocking the warm, spirited essence of Buenos Aires through the timeless ritual of yerba mate.
The Best Yerba Mate Brands in Buenos Aires
1. La Merced
For those who prefer a smoother yerba mate experience, La Merced stands out for its minimal stem content and its unique selection tailored for discerning tastes.
Cultivated by the Las Marías establishment in Corrientes, Argentina, La Merced is distinguished by its variety, offering a special selection based on the zone of origin or method of preparation.
This brand takes pride in providing a different character for each variety, influenced by diverse soil types, climates, and processing methods, making it a favorite among aficionados seeking a distinct and refined mate experience.
Best varieties of La Merced yerba mate
- La Merced de Monte: Intense and vigorous flavor.
- La Merced de Campo: Soft and friendly flavor.
- La Merced Campo Sur: Light and delicate flavor.
- La Merced Campo & Monte: Soft and vigorous.
- La Merced Barbacuá: Robust and bitter flavor.
2. Unión
As a classic mate brand also hailing from the Las Marías establishment in Corrientes, Argentina, Unión yerba mate brings a fine, efficient flavor to the table, crafted with stems to enhance its taste.
Known for its smoothness and yield in every product, Unión aims to create moments that bring people together, fostering conversations and respect regardless of differences.
Its philosophy is centered around generating spaces for unity through the shared experience of drinking mate, highlighting its role in promoting social gatherings and mutual respect.
Best varieties of La Unión yerba mate
- Unión Liviana: Without sticks. Low dust content. Soft.
- Unión Con Palo: Original recipe.
3. Rosamonte
Known for its high natural caffeine content, Rosamonte is perfect for those seeking an energy boost. Produced in Apóstoles, Misiones, this brand stands out for its unique flavor derived from the Ilex paraguariensis plant.
Its leaves undergo a meticulous process of selection, grinding, and aging, resulting in a harmoniously balanced taste.
Best varieties of Rosamonte yerba mate
- Rosamonte Tradicional: Natural aging for 12 months. Made with sticks. Intense flavor from the start.
- Rosamonte Suave: Natural aging for 12 months. Made with sticks. Soft flavor from the first mate.
- Rosamonte Selección Especial: Select leaf prior to production. Made with sticks. Natural aging for 18 months.
4. Cachamate
With over 70 years in the market, Cachamate offers a fresh and smooth yerba mate experience.
Produced in Villa Gobernador Gálvez, Santa Fe, this brand is celebrated for using the finest natural herbs in its mate and tea products, embodying the values it has held since its inception.
Best varieties of Cachamate yerba mate
- Cachamate Hierbas Serranas: Soft, fresh, and pleasant flavor. Ideal for the first mate of the day. Includes mountain herbs, mint, and peperina that help clear the respiratory pathways thanks to its freshness.
- Cachamate Hierbas del Litoral: A blend that aids general well-being. Includes lemon verbena and lemon grass, providing an original citrus flavor with a spicy touch. Ideal not only for hot mate but also for a fresh Tereré.
- Cachamate Hierbas Digestivas Boldo: Precise freshness. With stimulating properties derived from mint and relaxing properties from boldo.
- Cachamate Hierbas Pampeanas: Selection of aromatic herbs, fresh and sweet flavors, highlighting the essence of eucalyptus.
5. Salus
Featuring a calm and balanced flavor, Salus originates from the Iguazú Falls area and is produced by Molinos Río de la Plata S.A.
It offers a delicate mix of yerba and herbs, allowing drinkers to savor the taste of nature.
Best varieties of Salus yerba mate
- Salus Suave, Rica y Natural: Made from a natural blend, inspired by the balance of nature. Friendly and balanced flavor that lasts longer to enjoy the mate for more time.
- Salus Hierbas Serranas: Brings all the flavor of Argentine herbs. A natural and unique combination of yerba with pennyroyal, mint, peperina, lemon verbena, and thyme.
- Salus Limón y Menta: The freshness of lemon and mint combine with the flavor of the yerba.
6. Taragüi
Taragüi’s intense and genuine flavor captures the essence of true yerba mate.
Cultivated by Las Marías in Corrientes, Argentina, it ensures a perfect balance of components for a full-bodied mate experience, releasing its flavor gradually to maintain consistency.
Best varieties of Taragüi yerba mate
- Taragui con palo: Characteristic flavor of the brand. Ideal for those looking for mates with body, flavor, and performance.
- Taragui sin palo: Accentuated character. Its pure leaf grinding gives it more flavor. With coarse and fine leaf, it is ideal for those looking for mates with a lot of body and intensity.
7. Amanda
Ideal for beginners, Amanda offers a mild, light, and slightly tangy flavor.
Produced in Apóstoles, Misiones, it represents the quintessence of Argentine yerba mate, providing top-quality traditional taste.
Best varieties of Amanda yerba mate
- Amanda Tradicional: Made with sticks and the classic flavor of Argentine yerba mate.
- Amanda Despalada: Yerba mate made without sticks.
- Amanda Edición 1950: Coarser grinding. Package design inspired by the brand’s first package in the 1950s.
- Amanda Selección Especial: A selected blend of yerba from mountain and field.
8. CBSé
As the first brand to introduce yerba mate with herbs into the Argentine food code, CBSé is celebrated for its freshness and wide variety of flavors.
Produced by Establecimiento Santa Ana S.A., it offers a unique yerba mate experience.
Best varieties of CBSé yerba mate
- CBSé Etiqueta Negra: Yerba mate with pennyroyal, mint, and peperina. Naturally aged for more than 18 months.
- CBSé Hierbas Serranas: Ideal to enjoy a delicious and refreshing day. Fine selection of herbs such as mint, pennyroyal, and peperina.
- CBSé Endulife: Yerba sweetened naturally with Stevia.
- CBSé Frutos del Bosque: Delicious yerba mate mixed with red fruits like blueberry, raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, plus a touch of rosehip. Very sweet aroma, highlighting cherry notes.
9. Cruz de Malta
Since 1874, Cruz de Malta has been a staple in the yerba mate market, known for its smooth taste with minimal dust content.
Produced by Molinos Río de la Plata S.A., it emphasizes authenticity and quality, sourced from the lush plantations of Northeast Argentina.
Best varieties of Cruz de Malta yerba mate
- Cruz de Malta Tradicional: Larger leaves so its flavor lasts more mates. This is because the mate extracts slowly. Lower dust content.
- Cruz de Malta Selección: Yerba mate aged respecting the natural maturation process. This gives it a soft and characteristic flavor. Coarser grinding so that the flavor lasts for more mates.
- Cruz de Malta Boldo y Menta: Blend of flavors. A mix of herbs that give the yerba mate an exquisite aroma and flavor. Outstanding freshness.
- Cruz de Malta Manzanilla: Combines a soft selected yerba with the delicate flavor of chamomile. Intense sweet aroma.
10. Canarias
This Uruguayan yerba mate, made with Brazilian raw materials, has been a favorite for over 60 years.
The Canarias popularity surged when the Argentine National Football Team and Lionel Messi chose it for the World Cup in Qatar, highlighting its quality and appeal.
Best varieties of Canarias yerba mate
- Canarias Tradicional: Yerba mate with a higher proportion of pure leaf and a proper balance between dust and sticks. High duration of flavor, which is bitter and intense.
- Canarias Serena: Yerba mate that combines the unique quality of Canarias yerba with a fine balance of herbs such as lemon balm, passion flower, mint, and lime blossom. High-performance yerba mate with a mild herbal flavor.
- Canarias Edición Especial: Yerba mate made from strictly selected leaves. Optimal balance between leaf, stick, and powder, which allows for a different flavor without too much intensity. Moderate flavor, fine aroma, and slightly smoky.
- Canarias Té Rojo y Cen: Yerba mate that offers a unique blend, adding the distinctive taste and health benefits of red tea to the traditional yerba mate experience.
(Featured Image Source: Juan M. Haran/flickr.com)
