Where to find good Yerba Mate? Online or in-store

For those of us in the US, it can be an expensive venture to find good yerba mate, especially if you order online.  Here are some options:
Online-

• Amigofoods.com - has a good selection of many Hispanic food items, as well as yerba, but can be quite pricey.  I have ordered from them and found them to be quite fast
• ma-tea.com - not a huge selection of yerba but much more reasonable price for the selection they do have.  I have also ordered from here and found them to deliver on the faster side.
• mymateworld.com - a decent selection but also pricey- their website is very confusing.
• "Homemade" yerba from sites such as circleofdrink.com, republicoftea.com, theteaspot.com are some choices that sell their own yerba.  I have never purchased from any of these but could be worth a try.

Offline

• Whole Foods - carries Guayaki and Eco Teas.  If I am in a pinch, then I will go and get Eco Teas as a substitute.
• Local Hispanic Markets - have had decent luck finding Cruz de Malta sometimes and at very cheap prices
• If you are in Chicago - Buenos Aires Deli has a great selection of all things Argentina!

I do not endorse nor am associated with any of these companies or shopping sites, this is just meant to help guide you in the right direction if you are looking for yerba online.

La Merced Organic

I am a big fan of La Merced as a yerba provider and also love incorporating organic products when possible - so right off the start, I am a big fan.  Now when it comes to the actual taste, while overall this is a solid mate, it does have some off notes particularly in the after taste. The yerba looks like a fine quality, without any sticks or by-products of the plant and minimal dust.  The initial taste is actually very smooth, without any bitter qualities or strong notes.  While drinking, it also follows a smooth taste.  However, there is a bit of an after taste which dimishes my overall review.  IF you do not mind the after taste, then this is a wonderful, smooth mate and you can feel good about it being organic as well.  Comparing it to Guayaki (also an organic mate), La Merced wins hands down, it is no competition.