Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Panzarella.
Nick grew up in Kingwood, TX where ya-upon holly grows abundantly. Through boy scouts and studying foraging, he learned to identify native plants and developed an interest in Native American cultures. At Tulane University in New Orleans, he studied linguistics with a focus on indigenous and minority languages. He spent a year studying abroad in Bologna, Italy where he was a volunteer for Slow Food and learned to appreciate local and unique food products.
After graduating, he spent a year managing at Revival Market where he developed the skills to educate customers about new local products. He then spent a year traveling through Latin America and Europe, eventually staying in Palermo, Panzarella realized that cultures around the globe make use of the good things growing around them. He eventually moved back home in 2015 and immediately started his business to bring Cassina back into popular American culture.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When we initially started, the company was called “Panzarella Import Co.” and we only sold loose leaf Cassina. People thought we were an olive oil company! It was impossible to convince chefs to use it. We thought that people would want to get their hands on this local thing that was totally new to people, but no one showed any real interest.
After we changed the name to Wild South Tea and started selling the Cassina ready-to-drink in bottles we saw started seeing success in sales. Getting clean looking labels and bottles and bulk have been a slow ride, but we’re figuring it out and always working to bring costs down.
Wild South Tea – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Wild South Tea we sell bottles of America’s only tea, Cassina. Founder Nick Panzarella learned about Cassina growing up in Kingwood where yaupon holly grows abundantly. Through boy scouts and studying foraging, Nick learned that yaupon leaves were used by Native Americans to make a caffeinated beverage called “Cassina”.
After traveling through Latin America and Europe, Panzarella realized that cultures around the globe make use of the good things growing around them. It gave him the idea that maybe American’s could learn to love Cassina again! Wild harvesting yaupon and experimenting in his backyard, Panzarella learned how to brew Cassina just right. After several months selling Cassina at local farmers markets, Wild South Tea is now sold in 24 locations in Houston and Austin.
The yaupon plants are harvested wild in New Caney, TX and brewed in a commercial kitchen in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood. We are open to new investors, and are planning to expand our brand nationally as soon as possible to revive the American tradition of Cassina!
We’re different from other companies because we are driven by the mission of reviving a part of American cultural heritage. We believe that Cassina is a something that deserves to be appreciated and we want all people to be able to enjoy it.
We’re most proud of staying committed to our goal. We’ve had issues in the past, but through perseverance, we’ve been able to keep learning. We’re now seeing quick growth and enjoying the fruits of that attitude.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
For us, success is measured in two things: the area of distribution of our product. We want to be sold internationally.
And second, we want to see appreciation and understanding for an American product that Native American’s have known about for centuries. It’s an attitude shift towards awareness and respect: awareness for the wildlife that’s surrounding us, and awareness of the Native cultures that are still thriving in the US today.
Pricing:
- Bottled Sweet Cassina $3.50
- Bottled Classic Cassina $3.50
- Bottled Mint Cassina $3.50
- Bottled Lemon Cassina $3.50
- Bottled Sweet Peach Cassina $3.50
- Bottled #HoustonStrong Hibiscus Cassina $3.50
Contact Info:
- Website: wildsouthtea.com
- Phone: 832-443-4293
- Email: nick@wildsouthtea.com
- Instagram: @WildSouthTea
- Facebook: facebook.com/wildsouthtea
- Twitter: @WildSouthTea
Image Credit:
Nick Panzarella, Victor Gonzales, Daniel Cotte
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