Canarias is one of, if not the most popular brand in Uruguay.

And in this post, you’re about to find out why…

I’ve been drinking it non-stop (I’m also drinking it as I write this), and compared to most popular Argentinian mates, this one will knock you off your feet.

When I first heard of Canarias, I didn’t think too much of it. It seemed overhyped. And what most people tend to like, I tend to stray away from.

But as it turns out…

I was wrong.

This brand is grown in Brazil and dried over fire which translates over to its taste and aroma. Then, it’s finally aged for 4-6 months (according to their website), before reaching our gourds.

And after drinking this and coming back to it over the years, I believe Canarias deserves all the hype it gets.

Here’s why…

Nose

Right out of the bag, Canarias releases this pungent smell. To the nose, it contains a rich and dark earthiness as well as a fresh hay note. A little bit of citrus is hiding in the back, along with a hint of smoke. This all changes when it’s brewing in the gourd though. When it comes in contact with hot water, a nuttiness and sweetness floats into the air.

Taste

When it comes to taste, Canarias is quite similar to how it smells. To start, you’re immediately hit with a strong combination of soil, earth, and hay. This isn’t your usual yerba mate taste either. Compared to Argentinian or Paraguayan mate, this is stronger, fuller, and richer in taste, all while being extremely well-balanced and smooth. Though this may depend on your palate. But to me, it’s one of the softest brands I’ve had.

Then after a handful of refills, this mate begins to show its true colors. The more I sip, the more notes I discover. Hearty notes of bread, oats, and roasted nuts pop up, and they all coalesce wonderfully. But that’s not even the best part. As I get into the second half, a delectable milk chocolate and peanut butter taste spoil my palate.

To a beginner, this will be a beast. It’s jam-packed with flavor. And to an experienced mate drinker, this will most likely be what you’ve been searching for – a complex flavor profile.

I found Canarias to be best consumed around 155-170ºF (68-77ºC) but any temp will do. The temp doesn’t exactly change the tasting notes, but it does change how strong it comes through.

Finish

On the finish, Canarias doesn’t offer anything new. The more dominant flavors from before (earth, soil, and malt) carry over with no harshness or bitterness. This surprised me coming from such a strong mate. The finish also only lasts about 30 seconds and is as mellow as can be.

Body/Texture

Canarias is a full-bodied mate with a unique creamy texture that can’t go unnoticed. In the beginning, it’s heavy and a bit gritty due to the powder content. But as you keep drinking, it smooths itself out but still maintains its heavy-cream-like mouthfeel almost throughout the entire gourd. And the most shocking part of all, Canarias is not astringent at all. The dry-mouth and constricting sensations caused by most yerbas are non-existent here.

Cycle

To top everything off, Canarias has a long cycle and it’s all thanks to its cut. I can easily drink more than a liter of mate with an average fist-sized gourd. The flavor doesn’t wash away quickly either. Instead, it gradually simmers down, allowing you to truly experience all it has to offer.

Cut

Canarias features a classic Uruguayan cut. It’s predominantly composed of finely-cut yellow-green leaves with some smoked to a brown and black color. Palos are present but all are no longer than maybe 2 millimeters. Overall, Canarias is mostly leaves and dust. The powder helps form a nice mountain of mate when preparing, but can easily be sucked up if not using the right bombilla.

I highly recommended a spoon bombilla for this type of mate or you’ll risk having clogging issues. To mitigate this from happening, every once in a while you want to take your bombilla and push the yerba to one side to keep the mountain and filtration alive and well.

Effect

With a full-bodied and bold mate like Canarias, you can expect the effects to reflect its taste.

This might be one of the only mates to make me a bit jittery and anxious. But with a cut that’s made mostly of leaves, this is bound to happen since you’re consuming more caffeine. On the flip side, however, my focus and concentration levels are top-notch. My thoughts and mind become focused on one thing at a time, making it great for any type of productive work. But most notably, I get a jolt of energy. If you’re looking for something to wake you up, there is nothing like this brand right here. Again, this gets me a little jittery and that translates into my body wanting to get moving. So naturally, Canarias serves as a perfect pre-workout.

I would suggest avoiding this mate any time other than in the mornings. This mate can keep you going all day long. But of course test and see for yourself first.

Canarias Yerba Mate Review

Whether a beginner or advanced drinker, Canarias will fit the bill. More so for advanced drinkers though.

For beginners, it can be too strong for their palette. But if that’s what you’re looking for, by all means, grab yourself a pack.

With a full spectrum of bitterness, sweetness, and everything in between, each sip takes you for a smooth ride.

So does Canarias live up to its praise?

Absolutely. I really don’t have anything bad to say about it at all. Maybe just that it can be hard to prepare for a newcomer. But other than that, the taste, effects, and lasting ability are unmatched.

So if you’re interested in Canarias and want to experience a more complex flavor profile, visit one of the links below.

Amazon (US | UK | CA | ES | DE | FR)
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag

PampaDirect (Worldwide)
Click Here To Get A 500g / 1.1lb Bag
Click Here To Get A 1000g / 1kg Bag

Un-Mate (Europe – 10% OFF Order)
Click Here To Get A 500g or 1000g Bag

P.S. If you enjoyed this review, you might also want to check out our store for yerba mate, gourds, and bombillas.