This Is America's Only Native Caffeinated Plant—and You May Love It More Than Coffee or Tea

The adage "everything old is new again" seems tailor-made for the plant known as yaupon. What is yaupon—and why is it creating a stir in the beverage world?  For one thing, it makes a delightful cup of tea that's boosted by a gentle buzz. What's more, it's homegrown and has a fascinating past. We connected with yaupon tea specialists to learn more about this unique drink and its current renaissance.

What is Yaupon?

Yaupon, also called yaupon holly (botanical name, Ilex vomitoria—more on that below), is a drought-tolerant species of evergreen shrub in the holly family, known for its bright red berries and leathery leaves. And it has another distinctive characteristic that sets it apart: "Yaupon is the only known caffeinated plant that is native to North America," says Jessie Dean, founder and CEO of Asheville Tea Company, a tea producer in Asheville, NC. 

Yaupon tea, made from the dried leaves of this perennial, is generally regarded as an herbal tea or tisane.

Yaupon grows throughout the Outer Banks, Dean says, referring to the barrier islands off North Carolina's coast, as well as coastal states and inland on ranches in the Southeast. "It is native to 11 states in the Southeast U.S.," adds Bryon White, co-founder and CEO of Yaupon Brothers American Tea Company, which produces teas in Crescent City, FL. Yaupon bushes also thrive in Texas, notes Emeric Harney, marketing director of the family-owned tea company, Harney & Sons. 

Plant relations: Yaupon is closely related to other caffeinated hollies, yerba mate and guayusa, which are also dried and brewed for tea, but they're commercially produced in South America, says White.

Yaupon may be unfamiliar to many tea drinkers, but this local, sustainable source of caffeine dates back at least 1,000 years. Along with being used for ceremonies and rituals, Yaupon was consumed by Indigenous peoples as a daily beverage, Dean says. "It has a storied past and was often referred to as 'the beloved tree,'" she says. When first observed by Europeans, it was thought to induce vomiting (hence its scientific name), but these properties are not substantiated. 

Homegrown tea: "It was adopted by settlers as well, replacing imported tea when price or availability from the British East India Company prevented them from consuming teas from the Far East," Harney says. 

Full circle: Some Native American tribes never stopped drinking it, but its widespread use eventually faded away. "America became a coffee-drinking nation around the mid-19th century, and yaupon was largely considered unfashionable to drink, White says. "Fortunately, its popularity is once again on the rise."

Stimulating Elixir

Yaupon tea averages 40–60 mg of caffeine per 8-oz cup, less than black tea, around 50–90 mg, and coffee, about 95 mg—but its other stimulants compensate. "Many people are switching to yaupon from coffee because, while it does contain caffeine, it also contains theobromine, like dark chocolate," Dean says. And it has another key stimulant, theophylline. 

Gentle caffeination: These compounds slowly release into the body, so a cup of yaupon provides a lift, without a downside. "The composition of caffeine and theobromine in the leaves means that drinking Yaupon gives focus and energy without the crash and jitters of other caffeinated drinks," White explains.

Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Yaupon is also a rich source of antioxidants, plus it has several polyphenols like rutin and chlorogenic acids, which may help reduce inflammation and support brain health.

Flavor Profiles

Yaupon's taste provides further impetus to expand your horizons. "Yaupon leaves have a hint of natural sweetness," Dean says. She finds the flavor refreshing, similar to black tea. But there's a major difference as well. "Yaupon tastes a lot like tea (Camellia sinensis), but it's markedly less bitter due to less tannin in the leaves," White explains. "I would describe the flavor as 'earthy' or 'grassy,' but in a very pleasant, mild way."

Those flavors correlate with the type of yaupon in your mug and whether it's blended with other flavors.

Green and Black Yaupon

Yaupon tea is available in green and black versions, depending on how it's processed, explains Harney. 

Green yaupon: The leaves are lightly roasted or air-dried for this type. "It has a bright, vegetal dry cup to it," he says. "It is unlike many other teas I've encountered." 

Black yaupon: This tea is typically made from dark-roasted leaves. "The black brings out flavors of maple sweetness and a medium body," Harney explains. "It's most definitely pleasant, perhaps akin to rooibos."

Yaupon Blends

"Because it has a mild flavor, Yaupon is easy to blend with other ingredients and delicious in formulations that are floral, fruity, and even savory," says White. Lavender Coconut and Spiced Peach are two of his company's most popular flavored yaupon blends,

Asheville Tea Company blends yaupon with other herbs and flavors, too, resulting in unique combinations. "Our Elderberry Yaupon blend features blackberry leaf, elderberry, and hibiscus, and this tea is lovely hot or iced," Dean says. Yaupon is also combined with black tea for Pisgah Breakfast, a classic breakfast blend, and for its Mountain Chai.

Harney & Sons offers a few varieties as well, including American Buzz, a blend of yaupon, guayusa, and yerba mate hollies, with a twist of spearmint.

Re-Steeping

Another perk of yaupon: Since the teas lack tannins, they can't be oversteeped, allowing you to re-steep the leaves and sachets up to three times. With the first use, the steeping time is 4–6 minutes, but with subsequent use, that time increases slightly, while the caffeine levels decrease.

Other Uses

Yaupon is most commonly enjoyed as a tea, but it's also used in some gins, and foods like ice cream, plus the plant's ripe berries can be turned into jams and jellies. "There is potential for yaupon to be used in beauty, nutraceuticals, ready-to-drink beverages, and even pharmaceutical products," says White.