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For thousands of years, indigenous people in the Southeast USA drank an infusion of Yaupon leaves and water to purify the body and mind, and to bestow energy and clarity on the drinker. Later on, Yaupon energized European colonizers and early Americans before fading into obscurity for over 200 years. Today we know the science behind Yaupon’s amazing properties and health benefits, and we’re here to make it your new favorite tea.
Delicious, locally grown in America, and naturally caffeinated, Yaupon is simply better tea.
Yaupon comes from the naturally caffeinated leaves of the Yaupon Holly tree, in the ilex family, found only in the Southeast United States from Texas to Florida, and north through Virginia. Yaupon is the only naturally caffeinated plant species that grows in the US and most of North America. Yaupon Brothers trees are grown in certified organic “forest farms” on the central Atlantic coast of Florida, where Yaupon consumption began at least 8,000 years ago.
The indigenous Timucua people of Florida called Yaupon Cassina,and believed that it purified the mind and body of those who drank it. The leaf's natural caffeine and powerful antioxidants also gave Timucua warriors strength and energy before the hunt and battle. The leaves were roasted, infused in boiling water, and drank hot from elaborately carved whelk shells.
Yaupon contains around 30% less caffeine than coffee, but also serves up a healthy dose of theophylline and theobromine, which complement the caffeine to provide a smooth and jitter-free energy boost with no crash. Like it’s South American cousin, the Yerba Mate, Yaupon has dozens of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, polyphenols and antioxidants to fortify the body and calm the mind.
Yaupon contains far less tannin than tea, meaning that it is impossible to over-steep, never gets bitter, and can be enjoyed over and over again.
Yaupon offers all the benefits of tea, coffee, or Yerba Mate, but its grown right here in America. Yaupon isn’t imported from abroad, so it results in a smaller carbon footprint, less stress on the environment, and real jobs and economic opportunities for American farmers and workers.
Yaupon Brothers maintains a partnership with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food & Agricultural Science to help create a new native alternative crop for Florida farmers. This regenerative agriculture model results in less nutrient pollution, reduced water use, and resiliency to natural disasters like droughts, freezes, and hurricanes.
Yaupon contains three primary stimulants; caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. Yaupon's stimulants are methylxanthine alkaloids. Yaupon Brothers caffeine content is variable, but normally around 7000mg/kg when dry, which is about 200mg per ounce. Typically, a brewed cup of Yaupon contains around 60mg of caffeine, about 1/3 less than coffee.
Yaupon contains several antioxidants, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, rutin & luteolin. ORAC value of Yaupon is approximately 1000. Yaupon also contains Vitamins B1, B5, & B6.
Unlike regular tea, (camellia sinensis), Yaupon contains little to no tannin. This means that Yaupon is far less bitter than other tea, and won't over-steep. Yaupon also contains no oxalates, which can lead to kidney stones in some people. Because Yaupon is not imported, it has a low carbon footprint.
Yaupon Brothers Tea is unique among herbal beverages. Like its cousin, the Yerba Mate, Yaupon delivers impressive antioxidant properties and a ‘jitter-free’ caffeine quality, which is noticeably smoother and more ethereal than Arabica coffee or teas from the genus Camellia. What’s more impressive is that studies have shown Yaupon to have anti-inflammatory qualities which seem to have the capability to reduce cancer cells, especially in the Colon. In addition to caffeine, Yaupon contains other cordical stimulants such as theobromine. It’s antioxidant values, which have been assessed using the ORAC test, can rival any super-food from any part of the world. Lucky for you, Yaupon Tea is grown and packaged right here in the United States…An American native tea; who knew!
The native Ais and Timucua tribes of Florida used Yaupon in their most revered ceremonies. Mvskoke, Caddo, Catawban, and Choctaw cultures also used Yaupon as a food and medicine. Native Floridians would drink massive amounts of Yaupon in a single sitting, sometimes many gallons for each drinker. The natives would then purge themselves ritually, which they believed removed their anger and falsehoods, and purified body and mind. Regardless of what you may read, Yaupon does NOT have emetic properties, and the purgative effect was likely achieved through the addition of toxic native plants, such as Snakeroot, or was a desired effect.
At Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co., we believe in business accountability. We are Yaupon drinkers, and we are selling our life’s work to you. We also believe that a Yaupon industry can thrive without causing harm to our environment; providing jobs, opportunities, and an alternative crop for farmers. Yaupon Brothers has an ongoing research partnership with the University of Florida/IFAS to promote Yaupon as an alternative crop for farmers in the American South. We also support non-profit organizations promoting conservation and social justice, such as the Florida Native Plant Society and NATIFS. We hope you'll become a life-long Yaupon drinker. It's the tea from here... American roots, a different leaf, a better tea.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Yaupon
Antioxidant Stability in Packaging Materials
Dr. Putz/Talcott/ Matt Palumbo Yaupon Research
Ritual Consumption of Black Drink at Cahokia
Yaupon Brothers is proud to maintain a research partnership with UF | IFAS, studying the commercial viability of Yaupon Holly as a native alternative crop for Florida Farmers.
