Yaupon Tea: America’s Ancient Leaf Making a Modern Comeback
When most of us think of tea, our minds travel across oceans — to Sri Lankan highlands, Chinese mountainsides, or Japanese gardens. Yet, one of the most remarkable tea plants in the world grows right here at home, rooted in North American soil. It’s energizing, smooth, and naturally caffeinated. And you’ll find it thriving in the warm, wild landscape of Texas.
Yaupon — the only caffeinated plant native to the U.S., honored for centuries and now finally receiving the spotlight it deserves.
A Native Plant With Deep American Roots
Yaupon (pronounced yo-pon) is a type of holly tree that grows along the Southeastern United States, stretching from Texas to Florida. Indigenous tribes recognized its value long before the modern tea world did. Tribes throughout the region — including the Timucua, Caddo, and Muscogee — consumed Yaupon for ceremonies, community gatherings, and daily use, relying on its energizing lift and clarifying focus.
It wasn’t just a drink — it was a connector. A symbol of clarity, harmony, and shared experience.
With fall celebrations and Thanksgiving approaching, Yaupon reminds us that before there were imported teas, there was a native leaf supporting connection right here.
Sustainability, Regeneration, & Reviving Tradition
We proudly source our Yaupon through CatSpring Yaupon, a women-founded Texas farm committed to healing the land as much as nurturing the communities around it.
Here’s why we love working with them:
- American-grown, Organic, & wild-harvested — never imported, transported across oceans, or grown on monoculture plantations
- Regeneratively harvested to protect natural ecosystems and encourage plant health
- Ethical employment that provides meaningful jobs in rural Texas communities
- Minimal environmental footprint, since Yaupon is native, resilient, and doesn’t require irrigation or pesticides
By choosing Yaupon, we aren’t just choosing a tea. We are participating in a movement that supports local agriculture, ecological balance, and generational knowledge.
Feel-Good Caffeine — With No Anxiety or Crash
Unlike coffee or highly caffeinated teas, Yaupon’s natural caffeine profile is smooth and steady. It contains:
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Natural caffeine
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Theobromine (also found in cacao), known for mood support and calm energy
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Polyphenols that help with focus and inflammation regulation
The effect?
Clean, jitter-free energy, no afternoon crash, and no bitterness.
Yaupon might just be the gentlest way to wake up your mind.
New Release:
Cranberry Orange Yaupon
To honor this incredible leaf, we’ve created a year-round blend inspired by one of the coziest fall flavors: freshly baked cranberry-orange muffins.
Ingredients:
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Texas-grown organic yaupon
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Hibiscus (for juicy tartness reminiscent of cranberry)
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Apple & rosehips (bright, fruity body)
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Orange peel (fresh zestiness)
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Cinnamon & clove (warm bakery spices)
The taste: sweet-tart cranberry brightness, soft citrus peel, warm cinnamon spice, and a calm lift from Yaupon.
It brews ruby-red and smells like your kitchen just opened the oven door.
Cozy without heaviness. Energizing without jitters.
Perfect for holiday breakfasts, brisk mornings, or mid-afternoon comfort.
Yaupon Is Finally Getting Its Spotlight
After centuries of quiet existence, Yaupon is making waves in the specialty beverage world. Barista Magazine recently featured it as a rising star in the U.S. — a coffee alternative rooted in sustainability, culture, and flavor innovation.
Specialty cafés are experimenting with Yaupon lattes. Mixologists are crafting Yaupon cocktails. Herbalists are bringing it into functional blends.
And perhaps the most important change: more people are learning that the most exciting tea in America isn’t arriving on cargo ships — it’s grown right here.
A Cup Filled With Place, Heritage, & Connection
In a season centered on gratitude, sharing, and food traditions, Yaupon invites us to slow down and honor the land beneath us — and the stories that came long before us.
Whether you’re exploring Yaupon for the first time, or adding something meaningful to your fall tea routine, we’re proud to share it with you.
Explore Our Yaupon Teas
Each cup supports sustainable farming, American agriculture, and a history worth remembering.
Brew a little clarity. Sip something native. And join us in celebrating America’s own tea.
