120th anniversary of the beginning of the mass production of mate in Argentina

On November 30, the National Day of Mate is celebrated, a drink that transcends Argentina’s borders. With 10 years as an official infusion and 120 years of industrial production, mate is more than a drink: it is a ritual of encounter, friendship and health, marking its legacy from the origins of the Guarani culture to its presence in more than 90% of Argentine homes. It is in commemoration of the birth of Andrés Guacurarí y Artigas, also known as “Andresito”, who governed the Provincia Grande de las Misiones and whose date of birth has become a tribute to this drink that transcends generations and geographies. The Story Behind MateThe origins of mate can be traced back to the Guarani culture, where the leaves of the yerba mate plant were not only a drink, but a currency of exchange and an object of rituals. The conquistadors, amazed by its virtues, promoted its mass consumption, extending its popularity beyond the borders, making it an emblem of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata.It was the Jesuits who, through their missionary work, spread and cultivated yerba mate in northern Argentina, southern Paraguay and southwestern Brazil, establishing their knowledge as the “tea of the Jesuits”. However, the industrial-scale production of this infusion was not consolidated until 1903 in Santa Ana, province of Misiones, marking the beginning of a stage of controlled and sustainable cultivation that preserved this natural heritage. Today, mate is not only an essential component in 90% of Argentine households, but its consumption exceeds 275 million kilos per year, being a rich source of antioxidants, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium and xanthines that stimulate the body and mind.

Original source in Spanish