Yaupon is Made From a Tree That Grows Locally
As the cold weather blows in strong enough to howl today, we thought it would be the perfect time to share two lovely places to purchase as well as a recipe that was shared with us! The only indigenous plant with caffeine in the United States, this tree is found in the Outer Banks as well as across many Southern States.
Lost Pines Yaupon Tea
They sell yaupon online, at farmer’s markets in Austin and some other retail locations! Lost Pines actually harvest their yaupon from the Lost Pines Forest of Bastrop Tx where removing yaupon thickets has a positive impact on the forest and also helps restore breeding habitat for the critically endangered Houston Toad!
Lost Pines Yaupon Tea
911 Chote Ave.
Austin, TX, 78702
http://www.lostpinesyaupontea.com
512-748-4546
CatSpring Yaupon
CatSpring Yaupon came together because provided an opportunity for the founding sisters to return to the land, family values, and to American craftsmanship and goodness. They feel that everything they do is rooted in the belief that sustainability is about more than the land…it’s about people, too.
CatSpring Yaupon
PO BOX 43
Cat Spring, TX 78933
https://www.catspringtea.com
979-476-9876
Shared Recipe
From the Strange Seafood Cookbook from the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort, NC
Remove yaupon leaves from stems and sort to remove any of poor quality. Spread the leaves on a cookie sheet and put them in an oven to dry at low heat (200℃ F) for 1 to 2 hours. The leaves will be black and brittle when properly dry. We do not advise sun drying the leaves as the humidity of the coast is so high the leaves may mold before drying out properly.
1/2 to 1C dried yaupon leaves
8 C water
Bring the water to a boil. Put yaupon leaves in a strainer to place them into the boiling water. Next, reduce the heat to medium and steep the leaves until the tea attains a light green color and a pleasant flafor is detectable. Add sugar or cream to taste and serve hot or chilled. Mrs. Jeannie W. Kraus; Morehead City, NC
