This local company with an international spirit has managed to concentrate the unique essence of the Pitiusas in each product. An exercise in perfect alchemy that holds many secrets, some of which are worth sharing with tapas.
Your company was founded in the mid-19th century. How and where did it all begin?
The history of HIERBAS IBICENCAS FAMILIA MARÍ MAYANS goes back even further than 1880, when the first distillery was officially founded on Formentera. Before that time, Juan Marí Mayans, considered a wise connoisseur of the islands’ aromatic plants, was already making natural remedies with them. He discovered that many of these plants were effective in alleviating common ailments and began preparing medicinal syrups. Over time, this knowledge evolved into the creation of liqueurs, giving rise to the distillery in Formentera and, later, to the birth of one of the archipelago’s most iconic drinks: the Hierbas Ibicencas Familia Marí Mayans.
Why did you decide to move the company to Ibiza, and what improvements did this move bring?
The move to Ibiza was primarily due to logistical and growth reasons. Ibiza offered better communication routes, access to ports, and a more favorable environment for the company’s development. This move allowed us to expand production, improve distribution, and consolidate the brand on the national scene.
What do you consider to be the essence of Hierbas Ibicencas Familia Marí Mayans?
The essence of our family lies in the combination of tradition, respect for the environment, and a constant passion for innovation. We distill the soul of Ibiza in every bottle, maintaining centuries-old recipes while adapting to changing times without losing our roots and the authenticity of our creations.
What sets your Hierbas Ibicencas apart from the rest?
Our recipe is original, registered and perfected for five generations. We use native plants grown by ourselves, such as thyme, lemon verbena, and rosemary, and we maintain an artisanal production process that allows us to control every detail. We are also the pioneer and benchmark brand in the category.
Can you reveal any secrets of Familia Marí Mayans?
More than secrets, it’s a wealth of skill, patience, and respect for the process. We have a great team of people behind each of our products. One of the key ingredients is the maceration time of the plants and the quality of the alcohol used. For us, the distillation process is essential; we believe it’s what makes the difference. We also take care of every step of the harvesting process, which in many cases we still do by hand. In fact, we are very proud to be qualified as master artisans.
What are your most distinctive products?
Without a doubt, our Ibizan herbs and Frígola® are the most representative products. But our most recent creations also stand out, such as Mari Mayans 0%, our premium range of IBZ gins, our IBIZEN Infusions, and Ibiza salt under the ANaCleta brand.
For those unfamiliar with it, what can you tell us about Frígola®?
Frígola® is a liqueur made from wild thyme, known in Ibiza as «frígola.» It is the first distillate the company started with. We use a variety endemic to the island, Thymus capitatus, from which we distill only the flower along with Ibizan oranges. The result is an aromatic, very unique liqueur with a centuries-old history. Furthermore, the trademark has been registered since 1902, making it one of the first liqueur brands in Spain.
Although the beverage and spirits segment is extremely important, you’ve launched several innovative products in recent years. What can you tell us about these?
We’ve focused on diversifying with projects that are consistent with our philosophy. On the one hand, we launched IBIZEN Infusions, made with our own plants grown in Sant Miquel de Balansat. On the other, we introduced ANaCleta, our Ibizan salt hand-harvested in the Las Salinas Natural Park. And recently, we developed Mari Mayans 0%, a non-alcoholic beverage that captures the soul of our original recipes. All of this under the umbrella of Mari Mayans Botanicals and Mari Mayans Gourmet.
What are the ideal moments for consuming them?
Depending on the product, Ibizan herbs are ideal as a digestive, after-dinner drinks, or for celebrations. La Frígola®, due to its spicy aroma, also works very well in aperitifs. Mari Mayans 0% adapts to all types of occasions: it can be enjoyed neat, over ice, or in mixed drinks. As for our IBIZEN Infusions range, they’re ideal for those seeking a moment of calm and natural relaxation, and Anacleta fleur de sel is our ideal culinary offering to enhance any dish.
You even make a tequila…
That’s right. We’ve developed TeqMex®, a reposado tequila, produced in Mexico by a small distillery in Jalisco, specifically for us and under our registered trademark. It matures in American oak barrels for between 3 and 6 months. The final product is the result of several tests until we found the aromatic profile we liked best. It’s been very well received and represents a symbolic bridge between our Ibizan roots and Mexico, so much so that the label features the goddess Tanit transformed into a catrina, as a tribute to this journey of cultures.
Do you sell your products outside of Spain?
Yes, we export to numerous countries, especially in Europe. Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Japan are some of our main markets. There’s a growing demand for products with identity and authenticity, and that’s precisely what we offer. Our Hierbas Ibicencas Familia Marí Mayans are one of our most internationally recognized and valued creations.
Do you have any new launches you can tell us about?
We’re working on several surprises that will be released very soon. One of our priorities is the continuous improvement of our aromatic plant land in Sant Miquel de Balansat, the base for many of our products. And on the product front, we continue to research new alcohol-free formulas and gourmet offerings. We can’t reveal everything yet, but the essence will always be the same: Ibiza in its purest form.
What are your medium-term and long-term goals?
In the medium term, our objective is to consolidate our new product lines and strengthen our international presence. In the long term, we continue working to position FHierbas Ibicencas Familia Marí Mayans as a benchmark brand with great international recognition, while always maintaining our commitment to authenticity, quality, and origin.