Yaupon reigns as the only highly caffeinated plant native to North America. It is closely related to South America’s yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
 

Like the green, black, white, and oolong teas, Yaupon is high in antioxidants. However, it is relatively low in tannins, giving it a less bitter, mellower flavor than other teas. You can't over brew it! Yaupon offers a range of health benefits, including digestive support. Yaupon also contains the related stimulant and mood enhancer theobromine, the pleasure molecule found in dark chocolate.
 

Yaupon thrives in ecosystems that other plants might consider harsh—sand dunes along the ocean, swamps, and sandy woods, and forest edges. Due to its native status, it is pest-resistant, highly drought-tolerant, and overall low-maintenance.

These qualities, plus its proximity compared to imported coffee and tea, make it the best caffeine choice in terms of sustainability. Supporting local wild-harvesters is a fantastic economic and social justice choice, too.