Yaupon Holly is not a new discovery, even if it feels that way. It’s one of the very few plants native to North America that naturally contains caffeine, and long before coffee and imported tea became everyday staples, Yaupon was already being brewed in the southeastern United States. Indigenous tribes used it for what was known as the black drink, consumed during important gatherings rather than as a casual pick me up.
The tea itself is mild and aromatic, with a soft, rounded flavor and no bitterness. One of the reasons is that Yaupon contains no tannins, which means it doesn’t punish you for forgetting it on the counter. I leave the bag in for hours, while I’m working on my website, and it still tastes the way it should.
There are several variants of the tea from Yaupon Brothers. My favorite is the lavender coconut but they’re all really good. The tea is subtle and calming, without tipping into anything too perfumed or sweet. I brought the tea with me to Bali on my last trip, and it quickly became my post yoga drink. I’d pour a glass of iced Yaupon, sit down, and enjoy the moment. If you ask me, Yaupon tea works especially well cold. It stays clear, clean tasting, and refreshing, even in the heat, with no bitterness.
It was my friend Tina who first introduced me to Yaupon Holly and Yaupon Brothers and I’ve later had the chance to visit the production site in Florida. The people behind it are genuinely nice, and they’re doing so much good work within so many different fields that there’s not enough space here to describe it all, but trust me when I say that this is one of the brands you really want to succeed.
