Some samples were recently dropped to me from Cooler Co. - a Canadian kombucha and yerba mate producer. The company was founded right here in British Columbia, and while their kombucha has been consistently made in Coquitlam, there was a Made-In-The-U.S.A. component to their Yerba Mate production.
Well, no more!
The team have shifted the entire Yerba Mate production to National Dry in Toronto, an organic-certified facility with the capability of producing up to 800 cans per minute, which is CRAZY to me!
All cards on the table, I’m not a yerba mate guy. Or any kinda tea, really. It’s not that I dislike it; to me it’s a category that’s just fine. But, I’m always game to try things out, and I was quite impressed with these. I was a little concerned they’d be sweet - monikers like Power Peach and Blue Balance led me in that direction.
But - they’re not! I’d venture the flavours are actually quite subtle. The texture of the yerba mate carries some nice, light tannins, and it’s almost like each flavour is more of a hint or a nod. I quite like the mint edition best - it’s bright and juicy; I promise it’s not like drinking menthol iced tea.
Mayyyybe I’m a yerba mate guy after all! They’re available across the country - if they sound like your kinda thing, give ‘em a whirl!