If you want to try yerba mate tea or introduce it to your friend, getting a Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set is a great way to do it. The set includes everything you need for preparing and enjoying yerba mate.
Read this review and find out what is included in the set, how Playadito mate tastes, and what is the best way to prepare it!
Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set includes a bombilla, gourd, and 500 grams (18 oz) of Playadito con Palo yerba mate. It comes in a nice looking gift box which makes it a perfect present for anyone who is interested in trying yerba mate tea.
Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set
- Price: click here to check price on Matero store
- Included in the set: 500 grams of yerba mate + bombilla + gourd
- Type: Traditional loose leaf yerba mate
- Taste: Mild, sweet, floral
- Origin: Colonia Liebig, Corrientes, Argentina
- Recommended for: Beginners and all who prefer a mild-tasting mate
Bombilla and Gourd
The bombilla included in this set features a spoon design, which is one of the most popular types of bombilla. The design is very convenient and can be used with any type of yerba mate cut.
The spoon-shaped filter in the lower end of the bombilla prevents even the smaller yerba mate particles from coming into your mouth.
This bombilla is made of alpaca, a metal alloy that consists of nickel, copper, and zinc. Its color resembles shiny silver or stainless steel and it is hypoallergenic and durable.
A traditional mate gourd is usually made from a shell of calabash squash and requires proper curing and maintenance. This set includes a glass gourd that is covered with leather.
The glass gourd is easy to clean and maintain, and the leather wrap provides an insulating layer between your hand and the hot glass surface.
This type of bombilla and gourd are great for beginners as they are easy to use and maintain, so you can start enjoying your mate right away without any hassle!
Production and Cut
Playadito yerba mate is produced in Colonia Liebig, located in Corrientes, Argentina. This area has quite a long tradition of producing yerba mate.
German, Polish, and Ukrainian farmers immigrated to the region over 100 years ago and started growing yerba mate along with other agriculture.
The cut of this mate is traditional Argentine, which means that it contains some palos (sticks). The cut is coarse, loose, and airy, with very little small particles and dust included. The color is mostly dark green with some light and brown in the mix.
Preparation
I would recommend using water with a temperature between 140-150°F (or 60-65°C) for this mate. You can also try more hot water but in my opinion, the taste profile is best when using water of lower temperature.
You could drink the mate right away after pouring water into the gourd, but I prefer to let it steep for a moment first. This allows the unique flavors of Playadito to better infuse and gives you a more enjoyable taste.
If you want to learn more about preparing yerba mate tea, read my article about brewing it.
Playadito con Palo is a mate that retains its flavor for a very long time. You can fill the gourd for up to 20 times and still it produces a nice tasting infusion. Of course, this also depends on the water temperature, how long you let is steep, and the ratio between mate and water in your gourd.
Aroma, Taste, and Effect
Upon opening the bag of Playadito yerba mate I can smell a pleasantly mild aroma of hay mixed with sweet earthy notes. Not what I would expect from a mate coming from Argentina.
Argentinian yerba mate is often characterized by a bold, smoky, and bitter taste that many beginning materos (a person who enjoys mate) might find too strong. While Playadito mate looks like a typical Argentinian mate, it certainly doesn’t smell or taste like one.
This mate has a mild, sweet, floral taste, that is suitable even for a person who drinks mate for the first time.
I think that the mild and sweet taste of this mate is also great for making terere (iced mate). Add some honey and a dash of lemon juice, and you have perfect refreshment for a hot day!
The effect of Playadito mate is quite mild and relaxing. It does not give a strong stimulating effect or energy boost unless you drink a lot of it. I think this mate is great for inducing a focused and relaxed state of mind, perfect for working, reading a book, or just relaxing and hanging out.
Even when I keep on sipping this mate until quite late in the evening, I still don’t have any problems with falling asleep.
Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set Review
I have been drinking yerba mate for years, and I like to try different types of products. I enjoy drinking the typical smoky and stout Argentinian mates, but I also like the more subtle and sweet taste of Playadito.
However, if you are an experienced matero who prefers strong and bold taste, this might not be the best option for you.
If you are looking for a set that contains everything necessary for trying yerba mate tea, Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set is a perfect choice.
The set includes a bombilla and gourd that are easy use, and a mild-tasting yerba mate suitable for beginners. Go ahead, order this set from Matero online store and get started with drinking yerba mate tea, or give as a gift!
You can find more reviews of yerba mate products and herbal teas from this site, so check them out also!
If you have any questions or comments related to Playadito Yerba Mate Starter Set, please post them in the comments section below.
PS. Did you know that yerba mate is one of the best herbal teas for losing weight? That’s one more good reason to start drinking it daily!