This Ancient Hawaiian Plant’s Popularity Has Soared. Not Everyone Is Pleased … Mamaki is only grown in Hawaii and was first used by early Polynesian settlers. Now you can find it in 7-Eleven, Costco and soon, WholeFoods.
Mamaki was in Hawaii long before tea and coffee arrived in the 1800s, but only recently has it become a contender for a place in the beverage aisle.
Iced or hot, the dried leaves of this endemic shrub have been increasingly making their way into products across the country. It’s caffeine-free and has been compared to green tea for its therapeutic qualities.
More mamaki-focused farms have emerged, leading to more mamaki tea products. But not everyone is pleased by the boon of this native plant and those who are benefiting from its growing popularity. Mamaki is steeped in Hawaiian history and culture.
