Rise Yaupon at Environmental Xperience: A Different Kind of Tea Story

When Rise Yaupon arrived at Environmental Xperience during EarthX in Dallas, we knew we were bringing more than tea. We were bringing a story about people, purpose, sustainability, and a native American plant that deserves far more attention than it receives.

EarthX is one of the world's largest environmental gatherings, bringing together innovators, conservationists, businesses, educators, and community leaders focused on creating practical solutions for a healthier planet. Environmental Xperience, one of the event's immersive public showcases, highlights organizations that are rethinking the future of food, agriculture, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

That mission fits Rise Yaupon perfectly.

America's Forgotten Tea

Yaupon holly is North America's only naturally caffeinated plant traditionally brewed as tea. Long before coffee and imported tea became staples in American culture, Indigenous peoples across the Southeast brewed Yaupon for energy, wellness, and ceremony.

Today, almost every caffeinated drink Americans consume travels thousands of miles across oceans before reaching a cup. Coffee comes from South America, Africa, or Asia. Traditional tea comes from Asia or India. Even many herbal beverages rely on imported ingredients.

Yaupon is different.

It grows naturally right here in the United States. No ocean crossings. No international shipping chains. No rainforest clearing for production. Just a resilient native plant growing in its natural environment across the American South.

In many ways, Yaupon may be one of the most environmentally responsible caffeinated beverages on Earth.

Wild Harvested and Chemical Free

At Rise Yaupon, our tea is wild harvested from naturally growing Yaupon holly. Because the plants grow naturally in the wild, there is no need for pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.

Our harvesting teams carefully gather Yaupon from healthy native ecosystems throughout Florida and the Southeast, preserving the long-term health of the plants and surrounding habitat.

That work is done by several teams of second-chance employees — people who are rebuilding their lives and gaining meaningful work through harvesting and production opportunities.

We believe business should create opportunity, dignity, and community alongside great products.

More Than a Tea Company

Rise Yaupon is proud to be a women-owned and veteran-owned business built around a mission much larger than beverage sales.

Founder Shelly Steele left a successful career as a financial services executive to build something with deeper purpose: a company that could help people while helping the planet.

Today, Shelly also operates a job-training production facility that creates opportunities for traditionally under-employed workers, including individuals who are autistic, deaf, living with cerebral palsy, or rebuilding life after dropping out of school or facing other barriers to employment.

The result is a business model centered on inclusion, sustainability, and American-grown wellness.

As a proud father, watching Shelly leave corporate America to build Rise Yaupon has been extraordinary. She saw the potential not only in an overlooked native plant, but in overlooked people. Rise was built on the belief that both deserve a chance to thrive.

Why EarthX Mattered

Environmental Xperience at EarthX was the perfect place to share the Rise Yaupon story because the event brings together people searching for authentic environmental solutions — not just marketing slogans.

Visitors were excited to learn that:

• Yaupon is America's only native caffeinated tea
• It grows naturally without intensive agriculture
• It requires no overseas shipping
• It supports native ecosystems
• It creates meaningful jobs and second chances
• It is deeply connected to American history and Indigenous traditions

Many attendees told us they had never heard of Yaupon before. By the end of the conversation, they were amazed that such a sustainable, American-grown caffeinated beverage has existed here all along.

Grateful for Support and Community

We would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to Rotary, whose spirit of service and community leadership aligns beautifully with the mission of Rise Yaupon.

Special thanks as well to Steve Bender and Angela TenBroeck for their encouragement, support, and belief in what we are building. Meaningful movements happen when passionate people come together around shared values, and we are grateful to be part of such an inspiring community.

The Future of American Tea

At Rise Yaupon, we believe the future of food and beverage should be local, sustainable, regenerative, and community-focused.

Yaupon represents all of those things.

We were honored to share our mission at EarthX and Environmental Xperience, and we are grateful to everyone who stopped by to taste, ask questions, and learn about America's forgotten tea.

The story of Yaupon is still being written — and we are proud to help lead its revival.