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A space where we discuss anything and everything yaupon related
A map depicting the known geographic distribution of Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
DIY Yaupon Tea
Hello Yauponeers! Today we are going to show you the easiest method to make your own yaupon tea, with only a few common items and local yaupon holly.
Step 1. Identify the Yaupon
Leaves: Yaupon Holly grows only in the Southeastern US, and is easily identified by its evergreen leaves that are ½ in. to 1 ½ inches long. They have an oval shape with a pointed tip, and smooth, glossy surface. They are typically dark green on top and lighter green on the underside. The edges of the leaves appear serrated or toothed.
Berries: The female yaupon plant has bright red berries about the size of a pea, often found on its branches throughout the wintertime. Beware, as these berries are mildly poisonous to humans, although many other species love them.
Bark: The bark is typically smooth and gray in color, and it may have small, vertical lines running down its length. The branches of yaupon holly are typically thin and flexible, and can be found with alternate branching leaves.
Step 2. Pick the Yaupon and Clean it
Aim for healthy looking, newer growth leaves (brighter green) that are free from bugs or debris. Be careful to avoid harvesting from potentially contaminated areas like busy roads, parks, and neighborhoods that regularly spray pesticides.
If you’re trimming back a hedge, feel free to leave the leaves on and let the leaves dry out // we just tied some string up between two posts and rested it in the sun for a few days
Or pick the leaves off an existing plant and let them dry like in this video below
Step 3. Drying (optional)
Although not entirely necessary, drying your yaupon slowly will allow it to release more of its beneficial alkaloids and nutrients.
Some of these many beneficial compounds include Caffeine, L-Theanine, Quercetin, Theobromine, and Rutin, along with many other beneficial antioxidants.
Stay tuned for a future blog post detailing the many health benefits of yaupon tea!
Step 4. Getting Fancy with Flavor (optional)
Before the yaupon is fully dry, feel free to crush it up with your hands to oxidize it, which turns the leaf from a green to a purple-ish color.
Oxidation creates chemical changes in the leaves that produce flavor.
Step 5. Roasting
Once the yaupon is dry // or if you don’t want to wait for it to dry // place it on a sheet pan and put it in the oven for 300 degrees for around 15 mins // or until you start to smell a gentle nutty roasted flavor
Tip: Play around with the temperature / time to create your own special blends. Combine this with different levels of crushing (oxidation) and you can create all sorts of unique flavors.
Step 6. Brewing
Now we get to the easy part, take about 1 teaspoon of your roasted yaupon and put it in ~ 16 oz of boiling water and allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes.
Another easy method is the cold-brew. Simply place 1 teaspoon of yaupon per 16 oz of water in the fridge for at least 24 hours. Then just pour and enjoy.
Thanks to yaupons’ unique leaf structure, you won’t have to worry about over-steeping or adding sugar, and can even brew it again without it getting bitter!
Step 7. Storage
Store your yaupon in an airtight container or packaging, ideally away from direct sunlight.
Your yaupon is now good for at least 2 years, assuming its all dried and stored properly. Although from our experience, it never seems to last that long. Enjoy!
Congratulations!
You’ve now created your first DIY Yaupon Tea, a simple yet wonderful drink steep in mystery and tradition. With natural caffeine, theobromine, and loads of antioxidants like Quercetin, L-Theanine, Rutin, and more, this ancient wonder has been fueling North America for many generations, and for good reason.
Summary of Steps 1 – 7:
Identify the Yaupon
Pick the Yaupon and Clean it
Drying (optional)
Getting Fancy with Flavor
Roasting (~300 for 15 mins)
Brewing (212 degrees for +5 mins)
Storage
If you want to know more about the rich history, culture, and/or many health benefits of this amazing plant, stay tuned for future blog posts. Until next time Yauponeers!
Cheers,
Yaupon Tea Co. Team
About Yaupon Tea Co.
At Yaupon Tea Co., we are more than just another tea company. We are environmental stewards who are dedicated to finding innovative ways to live in harmony with the environment. We believe that it is possible to cultivate and harvest yaupon holly in a sustainable way that respects the land and it’s natural resources.
In addition to being environmentally conscious, we are also passionate about promoting the health benefits of yaupon holly tea. We believe that this ancient beverage has the potential to improve the health and well-being of our customers. Finally, we see ourselves as educators who are committed to sharing the rich history of yaupon holly and its traditional uses with a wider audience. We believe that by sharing this knowledge, we can help to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the southeastern United States.