Matte Leao

Product Type:Water: Enhanced; Container: 16.9 oz PET
BevNET Review: Matte Leao + Guarana is a super-charged, Brazilian import featuring two of South America’s favorite beverage ingredients. Due in part to its inclusion in so many energy drinks, the sweet and highly-caffeinated guarana berry has become better known among North Americans in recent years. Matte, however, is a brew unknown to all but the most sophisticated coffee/tea house connoisseurs. Consumed mainly southern South America, matte (or Yerba Matte) is a tea brewed from the dried leaves and stemlets of the like-named perennial tree. Matte Leao + Guarana is simply a matte drink flavored with the juice of a guarana berry. The uncarbonated brew is unlike anything we’ve tasted. It has a complex, natural flavor with hints of caramel, and of course, a strong guarana accent. Most notable about this drink is its caffeine punch; it is hard to get halfway through the bottle without catching a decent caffeine-buzz. Although this drink is very South American, it has much better cross-over appeal than many of the ethnic imports we typically see. While it doesn't have mass market appeal, we think its combination of flavor and high quality packaging will help extend its reach beyond a purely ethnic product. Specifically, the ½ liter PET bottle has an ergonomic shape and it features a fun, attractive label. Overall, we think this is a high-quality beverage that really packs a punch.Reviewed on: 9/7/2004