Introduction: Harvest, Roast and Brew Green Tea Using a Common Shrub
While not actually starving, the old saying "starving in the midst of plenty" contains much truth. Here's how to make a very tasty and nutritious green tea from a common shrub considered by many a junk plant - yaupon holly. There is historical precedent and the quality rivals commercial teas. Yaupon tea is nutritious, refreshing and downright tasty. The flavor lies somewhere between that of Chinese or Japanese green tea and oolong tea.
The process is amazingly simple and quick, with the harvest being the most time consuming part.
With no tannins, there is no bitter aftertaste (but it does contain caffeine).
Step 1: Watch the Video Tutorial
Step 2: Harvest Yaupon Leaves
Make sure the bush being harvested is in fact yaupon! Do not harvest if you're not sure (not all plants are benign).
Step 3: Wash and Drain the Leaves
Wash the leaves in water and leave them in a colander to drain. They don't have to be fully dry, but they must not be dripping wet.
Step 4: Spread the Leaves
Lay out the leaves on a cookie sheet or oven ready tray. A little overlap is OK, but not too much or the leaves won't roast evenly.
Step 5: Roast the Leaves
Roast in an oven at 350°F (~175°C) for about 15 minutes. Adjust to personal taste (longer/hotter gives a smokier flavor).
Step 6: Crush the Roasted Leaves
A sieve works well to regulate the size of the resulting tea. Partially crush the leaves by hand before pushing them through the sieve.
Step 7: Store the Tea
Use this step to separate any tea "dust".
Step 8: Brew!
Start with one flat teaspoon of tea per cup in a two cup teapot. Brew for maybe ten minutes.
The strength of the resulting tea depends on the concentration of tea leaves while brewing and length of brew. We have found it varies also according to the size of the brewing teapot. For example, in a small teapot holding only a couple of cups, at least two teaspoons satisfy us. In a four cup teapot, three teaspoons achieve the same per-cup strength.
Likewise, the longer it is left to brew, the stronger the resulting tea. All these variables can be manipulated to match personal taste.
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19 Comments
Question 4 years ago on Step 1
Hello from Texas! Could you verify that I have the correct species of Yaopon Holly?
6 years ago
http://www.walterreeves.com/landscaping/yaupon-holly-make-tea-from-leaves/ Here is walter reeves said!
8 years ago on Introduction
Hold up; Holly tree leaves?
Wash holly leaf dry and crumble and then put in a strainer like normal tea?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
It must be Yaupon holly - and there is a roasting step. If you mimic the video or pictorial sequence as presented above, you'll end up with "normal" tea.
8 years ago on Introduction
Is their caffeine in this plant?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I do not think that it contains Caffeine.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
All the literature we have read indicates that it does in fact contain caffeine. An online search confirms this. Have you a contrary reference?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yes there is caffeine, but no tannins.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice, I love making tea from things I can find in my own backyard :)
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I also love making tea even I am a tea addicted
8 years ago on Introduction
I was just listening to a podcast that talked about the yaupon holly being one of a few plants native to North America to contain caffeine.Thanks for the write up.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nice, I love making tea from things I can find in my own backyard :)
8 years ago on Introduction
wow its amazing
8 years ago on Introduction
Wow, makes me think of Yerba Mate! wish it grew near me.
8 years ago
Where does this plant grow?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Yaupon is quite prolific where we live in central Texas. It grows naturally in a range from Texas to Florida.
8 years ago
Wow...this looks really good...and makes me want tea
8 years ago on Introduction
Homemade tea is something special... :) Well instructed and good pictures!
8 years ago on Introduction
I look forward to trying this! Thanks for sharing.