Time to Read: 7 minutes
Quick Overview
Poland is the heart of yerba mate in Europe, often ranking near the top for “yerba mate” searches worldwide. The story began with Polish migrants to Argentina and Brazil in the 1800s, stalled through partition, war, and Soviet rule, and finally took off in the 1990s thanks to free trade, returning migrants, and a famous travel-show host.
In this article, you'll learn:
- How Poles first met yerba mate
- Why it was suppressed for over a century
- What finally made it take off in the 1990s
- The Polish brands that built the market
There is something about yerba mate that brings people together. Although it originates with the Guarani peoples of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, it later crossed oceans and found a home in Europe. Today there is a strong mate culture well beyond South America, in Poland, Ukraine, Syria, Lebanon, and more.
Poland stands out. Look at the Google Trends for “yerba mate” and Poland ranks near the very top, despite being nowhere near South America. So what is the deal with Poland and mate? The answer runs through more than a century of world events.
How did Poles first discover yerba mate?
Through migration in the 19th century. Poles first met mate after moving to Argentina and Brazil in search of opportunity and stability. At the time, Poland was divided into partitions occupied by Russia, Prussia, and Austria, so many wanted to live far from the European powers oppressing them. Once in South America, they picked up the mate habit, and some even worked cultivating Ilex paraguariensis, the yerba mate plant.
Why was yerba mate suppressed in Poland?
Because it threatened the tea and coffee trade. The first reports of mate reaching Poland date to 1882, when two Poles, Teofil Rudzki and Edmund Zaporski, returned with yerba to share and sell. But Poland remained partitioned until 1918, so Russia, Prussia, and Austria controlled trade. Russia in particular was growing rich on the tea trade with China and had no interest in a competing product, however delicious. Yerba mate was choked off with high import taxes, and few Poles ever tried it.
What happened after Poland gained independence?
Independence in 1918 opened the door, but history slammed it shut again. Poles were hopeful about new markets, and mate had fresh potential. Within twenty years, though, World War II upended the economy, and survival left no room for yerba mate.
After the war, Poland stayed under Soviet control until 1989, leaving little economic room for mate. When the Soviet Union fell and Poland became a democracy, free trade reopened and many Poles living in South America, especially in Argentina, returned home with the mate habit and a desire to buy it locally. Democracy plus returning migrants set the stage for a genuine trend.
What made yerba mate take off in the 1990s?
A mix of free trade, returning families, and one influential broadcaster. The key figure is journalist Wojciech Cejrowski, whose popular travel show Barefoot Around the World (Boso przez swiat) introduced viewers to the joys of mate.
At the same time, family members returning from South America shared the habit with friends and relatives. A more globalized world meant Poles encountered mate drinkers while traveling or online, and a growing number shared their own mate photos, building buzz. Together these forces turned mate into a popular drink and a stable market.
Which Polish brands built the market?
Mate really took off in the 1990s, and that is when the first Polish producers appeared:
- Argentyna Limited, founded by Leopoldo Buderacky in 1990, the first company to sell yerba mate in Poland.
- Amanda, created by Juan Szychowski and still an extremely popular brand in Poland today.
Other brands common in Poland but produced elsewhere include Don Bosco, Colon, Cruz de Malta, Kraus, Pajarito, and Taragui. Today mate is a shared custom among the relatives of Polish migrants to South America, and a trendy drink for young people who discovered it through social media. It is clear enough: Poland is the heart of yerba mate in Europe.
Up Next
See how the tradition reached the Middle East in the history of yerba mate in Lebanon and Syria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is yerba mate popular in Poland?
Polish migrants picked it up in South America and brought it home, and it took off in the 1990s with free trade and media exposure.
When did mate arrive in Poland?
The first reports date to 1882, but it was suppressed by import taxes until it finally took hold in the 1990s.
What are the main Polish yerba mate brands?
Argentyna Limited and Amanda are the pioneering Polish producers, alongside imported brands like Cruz de Malta and Pajarito.
Drink to connect
From Buenos Aires to Warsaw, mate crosses borders. Explore our yerba mate and starter kits to join in. #DrinkToConnect
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