The Black Drink

txdon · Feb 8, 2010

Has anyone tried this tea?

Black drink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are thousands of Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) plants on our place and I though I might give it a try. Wonder if it is marketable, the leaves make a caffeinated drink with antioxidants!

rockinmywaypa · Feb 8, 2010

never tried it myself but I wouldn't be using the latin name if I was trying to market it.

txdon · Feb 8, 2010

Ha!

yep I saw that also, but "they" say it was the quantity of the hot caffeinated beverage that the indians drank for purification and that in normal volumes it is like coffee or tea.

CurlyDave · Feb 8, 2010

Have you tasted it?

That might be the reason it hasn't caught on...

txdon · Feb 8, 2010

I got some leaves roasting in the oven, I just thought I'd check TBN for any possible know warnings or side effects.

Taste test will be later.

beenthere · Feb 8, 2010

Good luck, and maybe the throwing up will help ya lose weight (whether you need it or not).

txdon · Feb 8, 2010

Of all the TBNers I would have thought beenthere would have already tried it.

The leaves are now seeping.

Last call, has anyone tried this drink???

JB4310 · Feb 8, 2010

That Wiki article says it's caffeine content could be equal to something like 30 cups of coffee

"Its physiological effects are mainly those of massive doses of caffeine. Three to six cups of strong coffee is equal to 0.5 to 1.0 grams of caffeine; the black drink could have delivered at least this much and possibly up to 3.0 to 6.0 grams of caffeine."

Definitely wouldn't drink it at night, you'll be wigging out, gonna end up in detox

I like a cup or 2 of coffee in the morning but that's it. might be good for an energy drink before strenuous work or exercise.

Good luck, and let us know if you don't become a Mr Hyde

You're braver than I.

JB.

txdon · Feb 8, 2010

The color is a amber with a hint of green, the aroma is like dry hay. The taste is soothingly mellow like fresh air on an open prairie - not a strong taste like coffee or regular black tea.

The Indians used this drink to sweat for the purification and yes I am starting to get very warm, but then this is a hot drink.

Scooby074 · Feb 8, 2010

The Black Drink and here i thought you were talking about my beloved Guinness

DennisArrow · Feb 9, 2010

I was wondering the other day of how I was going to replace my coffee when "the Obamafication of the US" kicks in and I have to sustain myself without a supply distribution system...........Thanks for this information.......I have 2 of these tree/bushes growing down in my woods and it is worth trying for sure...........THANKS

OHHHHHH......did you OD or what......YOU left us high and dry with your description

txdon · Feb 9, 2010

I wanted to wait a few hours to see if there were any ill side effects, and there were none. I only had half a glass and it seemed to have some caffein in it.

There are different ways to prepare the leaves. I have some experimenting to do to see if the color gets darker. The flavor is light enough that it will easily take on any flavoring you add to it, but by itself it is refreshing and not at all unpleasant.

If anyone else tries it, let us know your results. Make sure you use the right youpon, on our place there are two types of youpon: The ilex vomitoria and the ilex decidua or Possumhaw. The Possumhaw has more of an orange berry and loose the leaves in the winter.

Here is an article from the University of Florida about the antioxidants and caffein.

http://news.ufl.edu/2009/06/25/yaupon-drink/

kossetx · Feb 9, 2010

Don, I have actually have tried it. I however didn't know to roast the leaves first. Didn't do much for me in that form. I may try again. MP

txdon · Feb 9, 2010

Kossetx, in the link from The University of Florida it show roasting the leave in a big skillet on a campfire. That method may make some of the leave burn which might give it a black color. I may also have to make it stronger to get a darker color.

jayste · Feb 9, 2010

txdon said:
The color is a amber with a hint of green, the aroma is like dry hay. The taste is soothingly mellow like fresh air on an open prairie - not a strong taste like coffee or regular black tea.

The Indians used this drink to sweat for the purification and yes I am starting to get very warm, but then this is a hot drink.

Don, I'm impressed! I thought I was reading a comment from one of those "High falutin'" wine judges.

Maybe you should try going into the sweat lodge after drinking it for that purification effect!

I've never tried it and am not knocking it. Looking forward to more info though.

txdon · Feb 9, 2010

Thanks Jayste, Now all I need to find is a good use for Mesquite and cedar.
Has anyone tries to make flour from the mesquite beans?

jayste · Feb 9, 2010

txdon said:
Thanks Jayste, Now all I need to find is a good use for Mesquite and cedar.
Has anyone tries to make flour from the mesquite beans?

I don't know about a good use but they're both good at sucking water from the ground and one is real good at poking you with it's thorns! It seems I've heard of the mesquite bean flour but haven't done it myself.

kossetx · Feb 9, 2010

Don, Cedar and mesquite, the bain of my life along with goatweed, silver leaf nightshade,canadian thissle and of course, youpon holly. I'd have about an extra week of time a year if it wasn't for them all.

Ever heard of sweet mesquite. Throw those bean pods on a cooking fire and it will sweeten your food. I freeze some because they get bugs real fast if left out.

mikim · Feb 10, 2010

txdon said:
Has anyone tried this tea?

Black drink - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

There are thousands of Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria) plants on our place and I though I might give it a try. Wonder if it is marketable, the leaves make a caffeinated drink with antioxidants!

so what reading material do you and Bernice have in common? she just asked me on Monday to lookup how to make it. now I don't have to....thanks