Mate: A journey into its history and origins

The history of yerba mate begins in South America , in the heart of the Guarani people, a group of Amerindian people who live in regions of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Bolivia.

According to Guarani tradition, yerba mate leaves were chewed or steeped in a gourd. The plant's natural properties helped its users withstand the harsh climate and fatigue . It was particularly useful during long journeys across the Andes, or during transhumance.

More than just a beverage, yerba mate was a true ritual in Guarani culture. The tree was sacred and considered a gift from the gods. Beyond its numerous nutritional and medicinal benefits, it was a spiritual element of Guarani culture.

It was in the 16th century, with the arrival of the Jesuits , that maté tea took on a whole new dimension and opened up to the rest of the world. Its production was organized and intensified under the control of the missionaries , which allowed them to become wealthy.

Later, the Jesuits extended its use throughout the conquistadors' territory, but they consumed the maté leaves in the form of small sachets . This is why it is often called Jesuit tea .

Numerous stories contribute to forging a solid reputation for yerba mate. Moreau de Tours , then a famous physician throughout Europe, reports a story that contributes to this legend: explorers supposedly survived for more than a week in the forest by feeding solely on yerba leaves*.

Back on the European continent, the Jesuits praised the merits of mate as a miraculous drink that could chase away fatigue and bring good cheer throughout the day.

They also embarked on extensive research into the plant. As a result of this research, the secrets of yerba mate cultivation were revealed. Unfortunately, they disappeared just as quickly.

It became clear that mate tea can only thrive in certain regions of South America . It was only later, during the 20th century, that new techniques emerged, which made it possible to adapt the cultivation of the shrub as we know it today.

It was from the 17th century onwards that the Spanish gradually adopted the consumption of the leaves, most often in a traditional way using a mate gourd and a bombilla .

*Source: "Maté, a historical, chemical and physiological study." A. Moreau de Tours - 1908

Belonging to the holly family , yerba mate is a plant endemic to the central region of South America. To reach its full development, this shrub needs high humidity, a specific altitude, and very fertile soil, which is why it is mainly cultivated in Argentina, Paraguay, and southern Brazil.

The extraordinary properties of this infusion and its role as a vector of social connection make it popular far beyond these 3 countries.

Indeed, yerba mate is very popular in Syria and Lebanon (particularly among the Druze community) with a combined consumption of 42,000 tons . Consumption of the plant spread and became more widespread in the 19th century with the large-scale emigration to Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.

Today, this plant is widely consumed around the world, both at home and in the workplace.

We have committed to cultivating organic mate in order to offer you the best quality infusion!