About Lost Pines Yaupon Tea

We're reviving America's forgotten caffeinated beverage—yaupon holly, consumed by Native Americans for over 1,000 years. Yaupon is North America's only native caffeinated plant, growing wild across Texas. Founded in Austin in 2015, Lost Pines is on a mission to bring this incredible plant into the mainstream while restoring the landscape we love. We wild-harvest from the Lost Pines Forest near Bastrop—the westernmost stand of loblolly pines in the U.S. and home to the critically endangered Houston Toad. After the devastating 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire, thinning yaupon became crucial for forest recovery. By harvesting it, we restore habitat for endangered species, reduce wildfire fuel loads, and help the native pine forest regenerate. Our yaupon is beyond organic—it's restorative. No irrigation, pesticides, or cultivation. Just wild-harvesting, small-batch roasting, and hand-packaging. The result? Smooth, naturally sweet brew with caffeine, theobromine (chocolate's bliss compound), and light tannins that never turn bitter. Brew it like tea or mate-style for different strengths. Available as loose-leaf, tea bags, and concentrated liquid (one 8oz bottle makes a half gallon) in flavors like mint lemon, basil lemon, strawberry, raspberry, apple spice, and seasonal peach. Every cup helps the world instead of exploiting it. Welcome to the yaupon revolution.Read their story