About Rooibos Tea
Rooibos or Redbush Tea is the national beverage in South Africa and over sixteen thousand tonnes of the red ‘tea’ are exported globally. (According to Martin Bergh, chairperson of the South African Rooibos Council SA Rooibos)
Unlike the traditional tea plant (Camellia sinensis), the Rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) is a fine-leaved, rugged and wild looking shrub that is not at all red! The bush has soft needle-like green foliage and yellow-ish flowers that emerge in the spring. The bush thrives in the picturesque fields around the Cederberg coastal mountains close to the Western Cape province of South Africa. Incredibly, the topography of the region is particularly suited to the Rooibos plant and attempts to grow it elsewhere have failed - making Rooibos Tea truly unique.
The distinctive red colour actually comes from the fermentation process similar to that of traditional black tea production. Farmers harvest by hand, bruise and distress the cuttings, then leave them to dry in the natural sun. The oxidisation process is completely natural and beings shortly after harvest.
In parts of Southern Africa loose leaf rooibos is drunk with milk and sugar as Bush Tea. Whether you drink it like that or just plain, rooibos makes a refreshing brew hot or cold.
The naturally soft taste of rooibos also makes a perfect baseline for many other flavours. From orange to chai spices, flavoured rooibos is universally popular. You can read more about some of our favourite varieties below.Why Drink Rooibos?
Although Rooibos Tea is naturally-caffeine free, it is delicious, semi-sweet and full-bodied aroma with a flavour not too dissimilar to green or black tea.
Depending on rainfall, climate and sunshine, loose-leaf Rooibos Tea can taste soft and elegant or bold and full-bodied with earthy notes. It is packed with Vitamin C and full of anti-oxidants, minerals such as iron, calcium and potassium, also alpha-hydroxy acid which can promote good skin health. There are so many claims being made and serious research being carried out in Japan and Europe, just ask Google!
Rooibos Tea contain no tannins, which are naturally bitter, so that no matter how many times you brew the loose-leaf tea, or how long you leave it in the pot, it will never, ever, get bitter. The lack of tannins means there is no need for sweeteners or milk to neutralise the intense flavours.Our Range
Full bodied South African Rooibos is combined with creamy and delicate vanilla and the peel of ripe oranges to create a relaxing, caffeine-free and utterly delicious herbal infusion. Incredibly aromatic, the tea smells almost as good as it tastes and has a glossy caramel colour in the cup.
A typically soft and pleasant South-African organic Rooibos is flavoursome with earthy notes. It is naturally caffeine free, rich in Vitamin C and does not get bitter even if brewed slightly too long. Rooibos as its purest and highest grade!
A beautiful combination of Rooibos married with the sweetness of Bourbon vanilla creating a delightfully delicious tea. A mild and pleasant infusion with a soft, full-bodied woody flavour and aroma.
This infusion can be enjoyed hot or cold and being naturally caffeine free it’s an ideal drink for children and pregnant/breastfeeding women.If you like Earl Grey but prefer to avoid caffeine, then this tea is for you! Our high-quality Rooibos is blended with the citrus lift of bergamot flavour and cornflower petals to create a tempting, aromatic and zingy tea.
Rooibos Chai High Tea Co
Our quality loose-leaf Rooibos is blended with cinnamon, ginger, fennel, anise, cloves and cardamom to create a delightfully warming Chai.
The naturally caffeine-free brew is earthy, spicy and naturally sweet.- 26th June 2019