Why drink Yaupon Holly Tea?

At Rise Yaupon, we are often asked why you should drink Yaupon Holly teas - and the reality is there are a multitude of reasons why, and we'll dive into several reasons below:

1. Yaupon Holly Teas taste good.

At Rise Yaupon, we aim to make teas that people enjoy so we spend a lot of time developing different flavor profiles that will fit even the most discerning pallets.  At the base of all of our tea is Yaupon Holly.  Yaupon has a slightly sweet, grassy note similar to a traditional green tea.  The best part is that Yaupon LACKS tannin, so the finish will always be smooth, light and clean - no bitterness and no risk of over-steeping.  

2. Yaupon Holly Teas are good for you.

Yaupon Holly Tea was used medicinally for millennia by the Indigenous Tribes of the South East... We now know that in addition to being lightly caffeinated, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties - and is considered to be an antioxidant super-food. Specifically, it has both polyphenols and flavonoids, two powerful antioxidants that combat oxidative stress, reduce chronic inflammation, and protect against heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. 

Yaupon Holly Tea is also a natural prebiotic, feeding the healthy bacteria in your gut biome.

Yaupon Holly has another stimulant: theobromine.  Commonly referred to as the "pleasure molecule" that is found in chocolate, theobromine gives awareness and alertness without the jitters.

Other teas are plagued with oxalates... oxalates can combine with the calcium in your body and create kidney stones.  However, drinking Yaupon Holly Tea has little to no oxalate content so risks are extremely low for developing kidney stones.

Our teabags are made from a natural fiber - we source special paper that does NOT have micro-plastics present.

3. Yaupon Holly Teas are good for the environment.

Yaupon Holly is a native plant so it is well adapted to live and thrive in the Southeastern United States.  This means that Yaupon grows without the need for herbicides, pesticides or impact to local aquifers.

Other caffeine sources in the United States are either synthetically made (think sodas, energy drinks) or are imported.  The carbon footprint of transporting tea from Asia is significant. Drinking Yaupon Holly Tea instead reduces the carbon impact - at Rise Yaupon, we are wild-harvesting leaves in Central Florida, so transport is coming from the US directly to you.

Farmers who plant Yaupon Holly also get carbon credit - yaupon is carbon negative (which is positive).

4. Rise Yaupon is committed to elevating the local community.

For us, it's more than just tea - it's a way to support and empower local people.  We have inclusive hiring practices - our harvesters are all second-chance employees; our production facility employs second chance, seniors looking for community, physically and mentally handicapped, neuro-divergent, and deaf.  Supporting Rise Yaupon in turn supports these people, who struggle to find meaningful employment that pays a livable wage.

https://youtu.be/f2FNiKtNfGs

We don't stop there - we also donate $1 from every unit we sell to a local charity - we have several that we support including Food Brings Hope, Smyrna Cares, and Council on Aging.

Drink tea. Be healthy. Do good.  That's what Rise Yaupon is about.