The American Yaupon Association (AYA):
a business and consumer alliance for the growth of the American Yaupon industry.
The Story of Yaupon
Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is the only plant native to North America that naturally contains caffeine. For centuries, Indigenous peoples across the Southeast, from the Atlantic coast to Texas, roasted and brewed its leaves into a stimulant beverage that held a central place in trade, ceremony, and daily life. Long before coffee or imported tea reached the continent, this evergreen holly was already America's tea.
That heritage was nearly forgotten. Widespread yaupon drinking faded by the late nineteenth century. Today, a new generation of growers and producers is bringing it back, harvesting yaupon that grows wild and abundant across its native range. The American Yaupon Association exists to support that revival: advancing ethical production, educating the public, and stewarding yaupon for the long term.
Sustainable. Caffeinated. American.
Our mission: to promote the preservation and success of the yaupon industry through ethical production and promotion of yaupon, ensuring consumer access to the highest quality yaupon.
We achieve this goal by encouraging responsible production, promoting sustainable practices, and increasing educational outreach about this high-potential American crop.
AYA by the Numbers
20 member companies
20,000,000 cups of yaupon served (and counting) since 2015
100+ jobs supported by yaupon harvesting, production, and sales
50+ unique yaupon products on the market
100% domestic American caffeine
Members by State
Yaupon Benefits
Naturally rich in antioxidants In addition to caffeine, yaupon leaves contain polyphenols and other antioxidant compounds, including chlorogenic acid. These are the same broad family of plant compounds prized in green tea and other botanicals.
Low in bitterness Unlike many traditional teas, yaupon is very low in the tannins that cause astringency, so it can be steeped longer without turning bitter.
Genuinely sustainable Yaupon is native, hardy, and drought tolerant once established, thriving across a wide range of soils in full sun to shade. It grows abundantly in its home range with minimal inputs, making it a low-impact crop well suited to the Southeast.
Caffeine Import Miles, by Beverage Type
American Yaupon Association Member Companies:
Join our
movement to promote yaupon across the United States!
Sign up for updates, announcements, and educational material on yaupon. Are you a yaupon farmer, processor, or marketer? Learn more about how to join the AYA!
FAQs
What is Yaupon?
1
Yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) is an evergreen holly native to the southeastern United States and the only plant native to North America that naturally contains caffeine. Its roasted leaves have been brewed into tea for centuries and are enjoyed today in loose-leaf teas, bagged teas, and ready-to-drink beverages.
Does yaupon have caffeine, and how much?
2
Yes. A cup of yaupon tea contains roughly 30 to 60 mg of caffeine, generally about half that of a comparable cup of coffee. It also contains theobromine, a milder stimulant found in cacao, which many people feel gives yaupon a smooth, steady character.
Is the name "Ilex vomitoria" a warning about side effects?
3
No. The species name is a historical mistake. It dates to European observers who misread an Indigenous purification ceremony and wrongly assumed the plant caused vomiting. Yaupon contains no emetic compounds and is enjoyed as an everyday beverage.
The Association brings together the growers, producers, and brands behind America's native tea. Its work centers on promoting ethical production, educating the public about yaupon, and supporting responsible stewardship of the plant and the industry that depends on it.
What does the American Yaupon Association do?
4
