Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Honoring the Indigenous Roots of Yaupon Tea

There is a story behind every cup of yaupon tea. It begins with a native plant and the Indigenous peoples who knew its value long before it appeared on a modern tea shelf.

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we pause to recognize that history and celebrate the Native communities whose knowledge, cultures and contributions continue to shape our world. For Yaupon Brothers, it is also an opportunity to reflect on the roots of the plant at the heart of everything we make.

A Native Plant With a Long History

Yaupon, known botanically as Ilex vomitoria, is an evergreen holly native to the southeastern United States. Its small green leaves naturally contain caffeine and can be brewed into tea.

Long before European colonization, Indigenous peoples of the Southeast prepared beverages from yaupon. The National Park Service documents the use of yaupon leaves and twigs by the Timucua of northeast Florida for social and medicinal purposes, as well as ceremonial uses among Indigenous peoples of the region.

These histories belong to distinct peoples, each with their own knowledge and traditions. Learning about yaupon means making room for that specificity, rather than treating all Native cultures as one.

Indigenous Knowledge Is Part of Yaupon’s Story

For many tea drinkers today, yaupon is a new introduction. Its Indigenous roots reach far beyond its current popularity.

That distinction matters. Describing yaupon only as a new wellness trend leaves out the people who understood and prepared this plant long before today’s brands existed.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day invites us to tell a fuller story: one that acknowledges the knowledge behind the cup and recognizes Indigenous peoples as living communities with voices of their own.

We can begin by asking whose perspective we are reading, whose knowledge we are crediting and where we can learn directly from Native educators, writers and cultural institutions.

Our Place in the Story

At Yaupon Brothers, we craft tea from a plant native to the landscapes around us. Our work includes harvesting yaupon from native Florida shrubs and preparing it for the everyday routines of today’s tea drinkers.

Sharing this plant also calls for care in how we share its history. Our company is one part of yaupon’s modern story. The Indigenous knowledge connected to it deserves recognition on its own terms.

A cup brewed at home can spark curiosity about that history. From there, we encourage readers to explore the people, places and perspectives that give it depth.

Carrying That Curiosity Beyond Today

There are meaningful ways to keep learning after Indigenous Peoples’ Day:

• Seek out Native voices. Read books, articles and educational resources created by Indigenous authors and communities.

• Learn about the place you call home. Explore the histories and present-day lives of Native nations connected to your region through their own websites and cultural centers.

• Support Indigenous-led work. Consider Native-owned businesses, artists and organizations working in food, education and culture.

• Share the history alongside the tea. When introducing someone to yaupon, acknowledge its Indigenous roots as well as its flavor and natural caffeine.

A Moment to Pause

The next time you steep a cup of yaupon, take a moment to consider the story behind its leaves.

For us, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is an invitation to listen, learn and give credit. We honor the Indigenous roots of yaupon tea and encourage everyone who enjoys it to keep exploring that history with curiosity and respect.