American Yaupon Tea

(Ilex vomitoria)

$36.00

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American Yaupon Tea

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THE FORGOTTEN AMERICAN TEA!

Discover North America's only caffeinated plant balanced by other synergistic alkaloids like theobromine.

TRULY WILD TEA

100% WILD-HARVESTED

Before this plant was buried by colonizers looking to sell their foreign teas, America had this caffeinated plant.

KNOW THIS RELATIVE

IDENTITY

Common Name: Yaupon Holly
Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Relatives: Yerba Maté (I. paraguariensis), Guayusa (I. guayusa)
Type: Evergreen shrub / small tree
Origin: Southeastern North America (Texas → North Carolina)
Distinctive Traits: Glossy oval leaves, red winter berries, smooth gray bark
Note: Name “vomitoria” reflects a historical misinterpretation of its ceremonial use — not a literal effect.

ECOLOGY

Habitat: Coastal forests, dunes, and sandy uplands
Climate: Humid subtropical; tolerant to salt, drought, and heat
Soil: Well-drained sand or loam, slightly acidic
Elevation Range: Sea level to ~400 ft
Light Preference: Partial shade to full sun
Ecological Role:
– Provides winter forage for birds (berries)
– Shelter for small mammals and insects
– Stabilizes sandy soils in coastal ecosystems
Distribution: Southeastern U.S. — Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, East Texas

ANATOMY

Root System: Fibrous and adaptive, anchors in sandy soils
Stems & Bark: Multiple stems, smooth gray-brown bark
Leaves:
– Small, alternate, evergreen, finely serrated edges
– Contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline
– Harvested year-round, best flavor in cooler months
Flowers: Tiny white, four-petaled, bloom in spring
Fruits: Bright red drupes (berries) in clusters, ripen autumn → winter
Key Compounds:
– Caffeine: Focus & alertness
– Theobromine: Mood & calm
– Theophylline: Breath & circulation support

HUMAN RELATIONSHIP

Indigenous Use: Brewed as “Cassina” by Timucua, Apalachee, Creek, and other tribes for purification and council ceremonies.
Symbolism: Renewal, clarity, social connection, truth-telling.
European Adoption: Used as “Carolina Tea” during colonial trade embargoes.
Modern Rediscovery: Revived as a native caffeine source — smooth, mineral-rich, and sustainably harvested.
Preparation:
– Lightly roasted or air-dried leaves
– Steeped as tea or infusion
– Mild, earthy, slightly sweet profile

CHARACTER

Energetic Quality: Calm clarity — uplifting without jitters
Flavor Profile: Earthy, mineral, softly roasted, floral edge
Aroma: Subtle smoke, honeyed grass, wild herbs
Growth Personality: Resilient, salt-tolerant, persistent
Symbolic Essence: A bridge between ancient ceremony and modern simplicity — wild, grounded, and balanced.

CONSERVATION

Status: Abundant but culturally forgotten; underutilized native resource
Ecological Value: Supports native fauna, stabilizes soils, maintains winter greenery
Threats: Habitat clearing, ornamental displacement, cultural erasure
Sustainability: Low-impact harvestable; regenerates quickly with pruning
Conservation Message: Reviving Yaupon reconnects North Americans to their only native source of caffeine and restores a lineage of ecological and cultural reciprocity.

Page 01

Yaupon (Ilex Vomitoria)

Specimen no. 002 - Field Guide Series

SLOW-RELEASE CAFFEINE

STEADY ENERGY

Unlike coffee or energy drinks, yaupon delivers a gentle caffeine lift without the crash. Thanks to its unique combination of theobromine and polyphenols, it provides focused clarity with a smooth, jitter-free rise.

NO TOXINS, NO TANNINS

CLEAN & CLEAR

Yaupon is naturally-free of bitter tannins found in traditional teas, which means a clean taste and less digestive irritation. It’s also void of oxalates and anti-nutrients — ideal for daily sipping and cellular clarity.

EARTHY & SMOOTH

THE TASTE

This wild tea brews bright and grounding, with subtle grassy notes and a hint of natural sweetness — no bitterness, no additives. It’s as pure as the land it comes from.

ANTIOXIDANT-RICH

FUNCTIONAL FOCUS

Packed with polyphenols and saponins, yaupon supports cellular resilience and inflammation modulation —making it a wild ally for focus, metabolism, and immune balance.

TRULY WILD-HARVESTED AMERICAN TEA

HOW TO PREPARE

Yaupon brews just like traditional tea but is naturally smoother and less bitter.

Follow these steps to enjoy its clean energy and subtle sweetness:

1.

Measure 2 g of yaupon per 240 g of water.
1.5 g for a lighter, sweeter cup, or 3 g for a deeper, robust infusion.
2.

Heat water to 185°-200°F.
Avoid over-boiling to preserve flavor and nutrients.
3.

Steep for 3-5 minutes, then strain or remove the leaves.
4.

Enjoy plain or with a touch of honey.
The naturally smooth taste means no need for milk or additives.
5.

💡Pro-Tip: Can be re-brewed two to three times, with each infusion revealing deeper, smoother flavors and less caffeine than the last.

2 g = 8 oz serving
(Ratio ≈ 1 : 120)

Feature	The Wildest! Wild Based™ Yaupon Tea	Tazo Green Tea	Twinnings Black Tea
Wild-Harvested	✓	✕	✕
USA Grown & Native	✓	✕	✕
Low Oxalates & Anti-Nutrients	✓	✕	✕
Rich in Polyphenols & Saponins	✓	✓	✓
No Tannins (No Bitterness)	✓	✕	✕
Environmental Impact	Supports Wild Ecologies	Agricultural Monocrop	Agricultural Monocrop

THE YAUPON PROCESS

001 WILD-HARVEST

Hand harvested from wild stands year round, with most harvests in spring, summer and fall. Only leaves and tender shoots are collected, and the plants grow back within a year more vibrant than before.

Wild-Grown Integrity Truly Regenerative

002 NATURAL DRYING

Fresh leaves are laid out to air dry immediately after harvest, lowering moisture evenly and stabilizing the leaf. This prevents unwanted oxidation and prepares the yaupon for a clean, controlled roast.

Low-Heat Dried Nutrients Preserved

003 SMALL-BATCH ROASTING

Once dried, the leaves are roasted in small batches to stop oxidation, smooth bitterness, and build flavor. Light roasts stay bright and herbal, while darker roasts develop deeper, warmer notes.

Flavor Developed Artisan Roasted

004 CUT & SIFT MILLING

Roasted leaves are milled to a consistent grade, then screened to remove dust and oversized pieces. This creates a clean, balanced texture ideal for hot brews, cold steeps, or blends.

Precision Milled Brew-Optimized

005 FRESHNESS ADVANTAGE

Because harvest, drying, roasting, and milling all happen on site, yaupon moves through the entire process quickly. The result is naturally fresh, clean-tasting yaupon with its full character intact.

Freshness Locked Low Impact

THE YAUPON PROCESS

001 WILD-HARVEST

Our yaupon is hand-harvested from wild stands, never farmed or plantation-grown. Leaves move from field to processing within minutes to lock in freshness and prevent early oxidation.

Wild-Grown Integrity Regenerative Foraging

002 NATURAL DRYING

Fresh leaves are laid out to dry immediately after harvest, lowering moisture evenly and stabilizing the leaf. This prevents unwanted oxidation and prepares the yaupon for a clean, controlled roast.

Low-Heat Dried Nutrients Preserved

003 SMALL-BATCH ROASTING

Once dried, the leaves are roasted in small batches to stop oxidation, smooth bitterness, and build flavor. Light roasts stay bright and herbal, while darker roasts develop deeper, warmer notes.

Flavor Developed Artisan Roasted

004 CUT & SIFT MILLING

Roasted leaves are milled to a consistent grade, then screened to remove dust and oversized pieces. This creates a clean, balanced texture ideal for hot brews, cold steeps, or blends.

Precision Milled Brew-Optimized

005 FRESHNESS ADVANTAGE

Because harvest, drying, roasting, and milling all happen on site, yaupon moves through the entire process quickly. The result is naturally fresh, clean-tasting yaupon with its full character intact.

Freshness Locked Zero Additives

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How can we help?

FAQ

What is yaupon?

Yaupon is the only native caffeinated plant in North America — used ceremonially by Indigenous tribes and now revived as a wild, clean-energy tea.

How does yaupon compare to tea or coffee?

It contains caffeine plus theobromine — giving a gentler, steadier lift than coffee. No crash, no jitters, no tannic bite.

Is it okay to drink every day?

Yes — it’s antioxidant-rich, gut-friendly, and adrenal-safe. Many drink it as a daily ritual for clean energy and mental clarity.

Is your yaupon sustainable?

Wild-harvested from naturally occurring stands in the Southeast U.S., our process helps regenerate native ecosystems, not exploit them.

How is it different from green or black tea?

No bitterness. No tannic bite. Just smooth, grounding energy from a leaf that was here long before colonized imports. It’s tea that’s truly of this land.

How do I brew it?

Yaupon brews just like traditional tea but is naturally smoother and less bitter. Want it bolder? Steep longer or simmer. Chill overnight for a wild cold brew.