The history of yerba mate tea is quite circuitous, reaching great heights of commercial expansion and sharply plummeting to total industry collapse.
Below, I've highlighted the major events of mate's development from the 1500s when Europeans discovered the Guaraní Tribe of Paraná consuming mate, to the 2000s where mate has found footing in the global health conscious revolution, outside of the Southern Cone (Argentina, Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay).
At the end of the article, we've provided an audible presentation of mate's history.
1500s — The Indigenous Tribes of South America Revered Yerba Mate
Guaraní Tribe of Paraná of Northern Argentina and Tupi People of Southern Brazil consumed yerba mate as a part of their culture.
1592 Governor of Paraguay finds “kaá” (yerba mate).
Jesuit Missionaries arrive to Paraguay by end of 16th century.
Slavery and “reformation” of Guaraní Tribe by Jesuits.
1600-1700 — The Commercialization of Yerba Mate throughout Southern Cone
Mate banned in 1616 by Jesuits. They thought it was a demonic drink that led to addiction.
Jesuits discover cultivation secret of yerba mate; the seed must first be digested by a bird to soften its stubborn shell.
1645 Commercial trade routes established outside of Paraguay.
Mate enters high class society within European homes.
1767 Jesuits expelled by Carlos III.
Mate plantations abandoned.
Guaraní civilization uprooted.
1800s — Mate Industry Decimated then Positioned for New Growth
Gauchos were the cowboys of South America. They helped to preserved the tradition of sharing yerba mate amongst friends.
Paraguayan War’s devastating impact (1864–1870); 60–90% of male Paraguayan population killed.
Argentina and Brazil annex critical farm land (1876 agreement) from Paraguay; most important yerba mate territory in present time.
Paraguayan mate industry decimated.
New groundwork for mate’s resurgence. Brazil and Argentina become the victors of mate production and exportation.
1899 Philadelphia Commercial Museum (International Commercial Congress); yerba mate was discussed and positioned as a respectable tea for health and curative promoting properties.
2000s — Mate Finds a Niche in Health Food Revolution
1996 Guayakí (largest U.S. based mate company) helps promote mate by teaching the traditional methods across the country.
1999 Eco Teas and Kraus Family form partnership to start importing mate to North America; Eco Teas becomes largest supplier of loose-leaf yerba mate in United States.
Renewed global interest into mate pharmacology and health benefits. Dr. Elvira de Mejía successfully destroys colon caners cells with yerba mate in 2011.
Argentina breaks new record for mate exports in 2011.
Elvira de De Mejia, “Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations,” 2007.
David Askaripour, Mateology, The Drink Beyond a Drink, 2013.
The history of yerba mate tea is quite circuitous, reaching great heights of commercial expansion and sharply plummeting to total industry collapse.
Below, I've highlighted the major events of mate's development from the 1500s when Europeans discovered the Guaraní Tribe of Paraná consuming mate, to the 2000s where mate has found footing in the global health conscious revolution, outside of the Southern Cone (Argentina, Southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay).
At the end of the article, we've provided an audible presentation of mate's history.
