Yaupon holly is an ancient native American tea that is ousting coffee as America's new favorite energizing brew. The question is why?
The Caffeinated Plant That Could Dethrone Coffee
You may have never heard of it before, but the Yaupon holly plant may just become your new morning bevy addiction. According to Fast Company, this unassuming shrub is North America's only native plant with caffeine, and it's making a serious splash as breakfast's trendiest new brew.
What is Yaupon Tea?
Yaupon (yo-pon) is an evergreen plant species found across the southeastern United States. Its leaves can be dried, roasted, and steeped just like traditional teas to create a caffeinated beverage with a pleasant earthy flavor. Yaupon tea has roasted, woodsy notes with hints of nuttiness akin to dark chocolate. Many describe it as similar to yerba mate, with a naturally sweet finish.
While not as strong as coffee, Yaupon still provides an energizing caffeine boost at about 1/3 the caffeine amount found in a cup of joe. But it avoids coffee's acidity and bitterness thanks to its lack of tannins (which many, like this author, get tummy aches from), making Yaupon easier on sensitive systems. Many also find the reduced caffeine leads to less of those jitters that no one likes and has an easier comedown, so you can avoid that midday caffeine crash. The beverage is also loaded with antioxidants like those found in Japanese green tea. Some preliminary research even suggests Yaupon may have benefits for diabetes management, fighting inflammation, and more. The plant's scientific name, Ilex vomitoria, worries some, but it's a bit of a misnomer - it's not an emetic but was dubbed this by colonists who witnessed Indigenous purging rituals involving excessive Yaupon consumption by Native American tribes. We swear it's perfectly fine to drink in moderation.
Why is Yaupon Making a Comeback?
While it may seem new to modern coffee addicts, Yaupon has been energizing indigenous peoples for centuries. Long before European colonization, Yaupon played a vital role in many Native American cultures. The Cahokians, Natchez, Choctaw, and other tribes drank ceremonial "black drinks" brewed from the leaves. It was actually traded far and wide as the caffeinated beverage of choice. After the plant was overshadowed by imported coffee and teas here in the States, Yaupon is now finding a new place at the table as Americans seek out local, sustainable alternatives. Modern companies like Yaupon Brothers and Texas based CatSpring Yaupon are joining the resurgence by reconnecting customers with the plant's deep roots while cultivating it on a commercial scale.
Eco-Friendly Alternative
Perhaps Yaupon's greatest draw is its tiny eco-footprint. While coffee and tea are imported across vast oceans, creating shipping refuse and eating up who knows how much fuel, this native American plant grows here so it requires far less transportation - a big win for sustainability-minded sippers. Yaupon is a hardy, drought-resistant plant. Like many holly plants, it can even grow in the colder temps, which is why we see holly adorning our mantles come the holidays. As climate change threatens global supplies of coffee and tea, surging beverage prices, and choking supply, North America's native caffeinated plant could become a saving grace for many caffeine consumers across the US.
With its rich heritage, smooth taste, healthy benefits, and impressive eco-cred, the humble Yaupon plant is quickly reclaiming its place as a revered US beverage. So the next time you're looking for that quick start to your workday, skip the coffee pods and brew up a pot of this rediscovered treasure.
