Yaupon holly (pronounced "YO-pawn") is the only caffeinated plant native to North America, brewed as a tea from its roasted leaves. It grows naturally across the southeastern United States, from Texas over to Florida and up to the Carolinas, and Indigenous peoples brewed it for millennia before European colonization. It never stopped growing here. Goldholly harvests that same native leaf, roasts it at three levels, and packs it into teabags.

Read more about yaupon on our story page.

Yaupon tastes clean and smooth, with no bitterness even when oversteeped, because the leaf is naturally low in tannins. Goldholly comes in three flavors, each bringing out a different side of the plant:

• Original: Bright and crisp. Floral and airy up front, with a soft sweetness and a clean, light finish. Great on its own, or with a touch of honey and a squeeze of lemon.
• Bold: Rich and toasted. Opens with a gentle nuttiness that settles into a smoky center and a comforting finish. Excellent straight up, and stands up well to your sweetener of choice.
• Mellow: Malted and earthy. Woody and easy on the palate, with a grain-forward body and a subtle, lingering sweetness. Our most versatile brew.

Can't decide? The Variety Bundle includes one full pouch of each.

Each Goldholly teabag contains about 30mg of caffeine—roughly half the caffeine of green or black tea, and about a third of a standard cup of coffee. You control your intake by the number of teabags per cup. ~30mg of caffeine per teabag supports:

• 1 teabag = improved focus
• 2 teabags = all-day energy
• 3 teabags = peak performance

Lighter preparations carry slightly more caffeine than darker ones, since longer toasting breaks down a small amount, but the difference between flavors is minor. We go deeper in our caffeine guide.

Yaupon has less caffeine than coffee: one Goldholly teabag contains about 30mg, against 95 to 100mg in a standard cup of coffee. Stack two or three teabags and you approach coffee strength. The real difference is the quality of the energy: yaupon's caffeine arrives alongside theobromine and theacrine, which together deliver a smoother, longer-lasting lift without the jitter-crash cycle.

Theobromine and theacrine are compounds that occur naturally in the yaupon leaf alongside caffeine, and together the three shape how yaupon's energy feels. Theacrine is structurally similar to caffeine, and early studies suggest it can support mental clarity and sustained focus. Theobromine, also found in cacao, releases more gradually than caffeine, extending the arc of the lift. The result is a balanced energy profile that feels different from coffee or tea.

No, yaupon does not cause vomiting, and modern research confirms its leaves contain no emetic compounds. The misleading name comes from Royal Botanist William Aiton, who in 1789 named the plant based on misinterpreted European accounts of an Indigenous purification ceremony. The vomiting colonists observed came from the ceremonial context itself: extremely large quantities, consumed while fasting, sometimes mixed with other plants. Brewed normally, yaupon's low tannin content actually makes it easier on digestion than most traditional teas.

Yaupon is a botanical cousin of South American yerba mate and guayusa; all three are caffeinated hollies, but yaupon is the only one native to what is now the United States. Unlike yerba mate, yaupon also contains theacrine, a rare compound that occurs alongside caffeine. And unlike traditional tea from Camellia sinensis, yaupon is low in tannins: less bitterness, a naturally smoother sip, and no need to import it from thousands of miles away.

Brew Goldholly at 180 to 195°F for 6 to 7 minutes, using the same water temperature for all three flavors. Low tannins make yaupon forgiving: steep longer and it deepens rather than turning bitter.

For iced yaupon, brew hot and refrigerate, since hot water extracts more caffeine and flavor than cold. For cold brew, steep 2 or more teabags in cold water for 12 to 24 hours for an especially smooth, clean result.

Drink it hot, over ice, or try one of our recipes.

Start with the Goldholly flavor closest to what you already drink. If you drink green tea or prefer lighter flavors, start with Original. If you like black tea or want something balanced, go with Mellow. If you drink coffee or like bold, roasted flavors, try Bold. Not sure? Our Variety Bundle includes all three so you can find your favorite.

Yes, yaupon is safe to drink every day. People have been drinking it daily for millennia, and at about 30mg of caffeine per teabag, a daily cup sits well within commonly recommended caffeine limits, and the low tannin content means a smoother sip than coffee or traditional tea. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your healthcare provider, as yaupon does contain caffeine.

Yes, yaupon naturally contains polyphenolic antioxidants, including chlorogenic acids, quercetin, and rutin. Chlorogenic acids make up about 70% of yaupon's total polyphenolics, and these compounds have been studied for their antioxidant activity, including how they neutralize free radicals. Notably, yaupon's antioxidants are more stable in storage than green tea's, so they retain their potency longer.

Read more about the science behind yaupon's antioxidants.

Yaupon's polyphenols can function as prebiotics, feeding beneficial bacteria in the gut. These compounds, primarily chlorogenic acids, are not fully digested in the small intestine, so they reach the colon where gut bacteria metabolize them into short-chain fatty acids that support intestinal health. Low tannins matter here too: the tannins in coffee and traditional tea can irritate sensitive stomachs, while yaupon is gentle enough to drink on an empty stomach or throughout the day.

Read more about yaupon and gut health.

Goldholly contains exactly one ingredient: USDA Certified Organic yaupon holly leaves. No additives, no fillers, no flavoring, and no blends. Each flavor is single-origin yaupon, prepared differently to create a distinct profile.

Goldholly teabags are made from a plant-based compostable fiber, with no strings, tags, or staples. The simple pillow-style design has no printed branding on the bag itself, aligning with our mission to deliver natural energy that's good for people and the planet.

Yes, every Goldholly product is USDA Certified Organic. Our yaupon is grown on family-run organic farms in the American South without prohibited synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, per USDA Organic standards, using practices that improve soil health and support native ecosystems.

Goldholly is available right here on goldholly.com, on Amazon, and on Walmart.com. We're also expanding into select retail stores. If you'd like to see Goldholly at a store near you, let us know.

Goldholly orders are processed within 2 to 3 business days and shipped via USPS within the United States. Shipping is free on orders of $35 or more. You'll receive tracking as soon as your order ships.

If your order arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 14 days and we'll make it right.

Every Goldholly order is packed and shipped by Mid-Hudson Works, a nonprofit in New York's Hudson Valley. Their team includes veterans, people with disabilities, and neighbors getting a fresh start, building skills and long-term independence through purposeful work, from their hands to your door.

Goldholly yaupon is sourced from family-run organic farms in the American South. Our growing partners use regenerative practices that improve soil health, support native ecosystems, and create jobs in rural communities.

Every Goldholly purchase supports small, family-run farms in the American South.Our sourcing model creates jobs in rural communities and helps build a domestic supply chain for a caffeinated crop that doesn't need to be imported. The yaupon industry is still young; by choosing Goldholly, you're helping grow an American agricultural category that benefits farmers, the land, and local ecosystems.

Yes, Goldholly is available for wholesale and bulk orders. Details and inquiries on our Wholesale page.