Pajarito is the most well-known and best-selling yerba mate coming from Paraguay. It’s handpicked and patiently aged which makes it tasty and smooth with a unique character.
Pajarito Yerba Mate Seleccion Especial is one of my favorite yerba mate teas and I think every matero should try it out. Keep on reading to find out more about this excellent yerba mate!
Pajarito Yerba Mate Seleccion Especial
- Amount: 2.2 lbs / 1 Kilo
- Type: High-quality loose leaf yerba mate
- Taste: Smooth, Grassy, Complex
- Origin: Asunción, Paraguay
- Recommended for: All materos, especially the ones who like Paraguayan yerba mate
You have probably heard about Pajarito yerba mate before and maybe you have tried some other Paraguayan mate. Yerba mate teas produced in Paraguay are generally tasty and smooth and they have a different aroma compared to yerba mates from other countries.
Pajarito Yerba Mate Seleccion Especial is a remarkable blend that with a smooth and rich flavor profile. Its aroma is pleasantly earthy, with a subtle hint of woodiness, evoking the lush landscapes of Paraguay where it is sourced.
Pros
- Smooth and rich flavor
- Premium quality leaves
- Consistent taste and quality
- Refreshing aftertaste
Cons
- Limited availability
Background
Lauro Raatz founded his company (Lauro Raatz S.A.) in 1956 with his wife to offer high-quality, 100% Paraguayan yerba mate. They started small, selling their product from a little pantry.
Through dedication and hard work, their business grew and they increased their production and perfected the quality of their product.
Today Lauro Raatz S.A. has a staff of more than 100 workers and also uses modern automation in aid of the production process. They have a daily production capacity of about 30,000 kg of yerba mate. They have established Pajarito as a recognized and admired brand known for high-quality products.
The company also has strong principles of social responsibility. They are helping their local communities by supporting education and culture as well as constructing houses for their workers. They also support small farmers and provide them with seedlings and training.
Before you read further, I recommend you watch this amazing video about Pajarito yerba mate:
Production and Cut
A separate company, which is part of the same group as Lauro Raatz S.A., is responsible for overseeing the growth of Pajarito yerba mate. The plants are grown in nurseries for 6 to 8 months and the best ones are selected for transplanting and grown until 4 years old before the first harvest.
Yerba mate leaves are harvested once a year manually and then transported for processing. First, the harvested leaves and branches are quickly heated up in a fire to stop the enzymes from fermenting them and to eliminate some humidity. Next, the leaves are dried and ground.
Each batch of Pajarito yerba mate is analyzed in a laboratory and then aged for 20 to 24 months to give the product the unique flavor, aroma, and color that it has.
After aging, the product goes through quality control and is then sieved to separate the remaining sticks. Finally, it is milled and packaged in environmentally friendly packaging.
The final product has a nice blend of small and medium palos*, medium to broad-cut leaves, and pulverized material. The shade is dark green with some brown and light green in the mix.
*Palos are small twigs included in most yerba mate products. They enhance the flavor of mate making it more smooth and sweet.
Taste, Aroma, and Effect
The taste of this Pajarito yerba mate is smooth and medium in strength. It has some sourness and earthy woodiness to the nose.
When brewing it, you get a grassy note. The taste is complex but very well-balanced.
After taking a sip it leaves a nice smooth, sweet, and a bit fruity flavor in your mouth.
The best brewing temperature for this yerba mate is from 70ºC to 80ºC (158°F to 176°F) depending on how strong and bitter you want it to be. I would go for about 75ºC (167°F).
Read more about brewing yerba mate in this article: How to Brew Yerba Mate Tea – Discover Your Favorite Way
The effect of this yerba mate tea is quite energizing and improves focus but at the same time, it’s relaxing.
I like to sip Pajarito while reading a book, working with my computer, or just relaxing on the couch with friends or alone. It’s great for the afternoon or evening, when you don’t need a huge energy boost, but rather want to feel more relaxed and focused.
Pajarito Yerba Mate Review – You Should Definitely Try It!
I really enjoy sipping Pajarito yerba mate frequently due to its smooth, rich, and balanced taste, nice and relaxing effect, and consistently high quality.
I recommend this yerba mate for everyone, especially if you like Paraguayan mate tea, or if you just want to try a unique-tasting traditional yerba mate.
You really can’t go wrong with Pajarito Yerba Mate Seleccion Especial!
If you want to try another great product from the same company, check out my review of the Pajarito mate blend with mint and lemon.
I hope you enjoyed reading this review of Pajarito yerba mate. Please post a comment and tell us your opinion of this mate tea!
What a great review. I really enjoyed reading about the Pajarito yerba mate tea. I will definitely try it. I love that it is energizing and gives focus, but at the same time, it’s relaxing. Certainly the right tea for me. Thank you.
Thanks for commenting Katja!
I am glad to hear that you liked my review. For sure you will enjoy the taste of this excellent yerba mate and the energy boost will enhance your productivity and performance!
Best Regards,
Joonas