The Origins and History of Yaupon Holly

Yaupon Holly, North America’s lone caffeinated native, once rivaled global teas, then vanished under the shadow of Ilex vomitoria and imported leaves. Now this drought-hard, bird-beloved shrub resurfaces as antioxidant-rich, locally foraged tisane, ceremonially storied yet gently stimulating, reconnecting modern drinkers with an old, rooted, Southeastern landscape tradition.