Description: For 8,000 years, the Yaupon Holly or Ilex Vomitoria, was a sacred plant for their ancestors and the Timucua native people of Florida. Tea made from its leaves was the main ingredient in a substance that the Timucua drank in sacred ceremonies. Ceremonies meant to purge the warriors and purify them before major decisions or battles. They would drink it from carved Whelk shells that were also deemed sacred items. The Spaniards called it "Cassina" or "Black Drink." A title that both attributed to the color of the liquid and the fear that the Catholic Spaniards had of it. Cassina was made by the Timucua women, but could only be consumed by the men. It contained 3 different poisonous native Florida berries and the tea made from the Yaupon leaves. The purging came from the intense reaction created by the drink. Being that the Yaupon is the only caffeinated native plant in the United States, the Spanish soon discovered that drinking the tea from its leaves produced a similar effect on the body as the Asian tea back home. They then set about trying to overtake the Dutch traders by marketing the Yaupon to surrounding Colonials as an alternative to traditional tea. This disregard for the Timucua sacred plant was one of a few major problems that caused much strife and war between the native people and the Spanish. Then the Spanish left, giving up on the idea, and the Yaupon never replaced the common Black tea that we drink today. Founded in 2011, Yaupon Brothers American Tea Co. produces Florida grown Yaupon teas of many varieties and flavors. They do a great job, observe the history of the plant and run a blog available from their website. I'm proud to carry their teas and tell the story of the Timucua and how they used it. 16 Florida Fire Roasted Warrior Yaupon Tea Bags.
Price: 11 USD
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
End Time: 2025-01-27T01:07:58.000Z
Shipping Cost: 4.25 USD
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Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Brand: Unbranded
Food Aisle: Pantry
Number in Pack: 16
Product: Tea & Infusion
