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.