Rooibos Teas

Rooibos is also known as 'redbush' in its native South Africa. This is because it has been drunk by the Khoe-San, or indigenous folks of the region for centuries. It's now a national drink thanks to botanist Carl Humberg who in 1772 rediscovered the leaves, reviving their popularity. Today, over sixteen thousand tonnes of the Rooibos tea are exported globally.

Unlike the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), the Rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) is a fine-leaved, rugged and wild-looking shrub that is not at all red. Instead, the bush has soft needle-like green foliage and yellowish 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 region's topography is particularly suited to the Rooibos plant and attempts to grow it elsewhere have failed - making Rooibos tea truly unique.

The distinctive red colour 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 entirely natural and begins shortly after harvest.

Rooibos is naturally soft in taste and is caffeine-free. It makes a perfect baseline for many other flavours, and blending Rooibos with orange, Chai spices, and vanilla makes this unique red tea is universally popular.

Rooibos Tea

Why we LOVE Rooibos

Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free; it is delicious, semi-sweet and aromatic. 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 antioxidants, minerals such as iron, calcium and potassium, and alpha-hydroxy acid, promoting good skin health.

Rooibos Tea contains no naturally bitter tannins 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.

Here are some of our favourite loose-leaf and bagged Rooibos teas and infusions.

Rooibos Super Grade Organic Loose-Leaf Tea

This typically smooth 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!

Our customers say, "Excellent! This is my favourite so far. Full-bodied flavour and good with milk or without."

*NEW* Cherry Crunch Loose-Leaf Tea

Our new Cherry Crunch is a delightfully fruity flavoured herbal tea. It's a full-bodied blend of Rooibos, apple, liquorice, cherries, almonds, hibiscus and safflower.

The infusion offers subtle yet juicy tart cherries and moreish crushed almonds. The Cherry Crunch herbal fruit tea bonus is that it's naturally caffeine-free and can be drunk by the gallon on a delightful winter's day.

(CONTAINS NUTS)

*NEW* Rooibos Winter Plum Loose-Leaf Tea

Our Rooibos Winter Plum is a flavoured herbal tea with full-bodied rooibos and sweet-fruity notes.

This loose-leaf caffeine-free tea is flavoured with real cinnamon, plum, rosehip, hibiscus and rose petals. We think that it's a wintery delight!

Teavelope Rooibos Winterdream Tea Bags

Everyone loves our Teavelope Rooibos Winterdream tea.

The tea bags contain natural caffeine-free Rooibos, blackberry leaves, cinnamon, orange peel, cloves full of festive spices and creamy caramel and orange flavours. A great taste for winter, each tea bag is individually wrapped in an aroma protection sachet for perfect freshness.

Our customers say, "We drank this tea in Greece. So delicious, warming caramel, orange and spices with magnificent earthy aromas. So comforting and yummy. Just divine - thank you, Cup of Tea!"

Rooibos Hot Chocolate Loose-Leaf Tea

Our Rooibos Hot Chocolate is one to try if chocolate is your go-to treat! This indulgent blend of fine Rooibos is enhanced with hints of Irish cream, vanilla and cocoa. This aromatic 'hot chocolate' is a sumptuous treat without the calories and no caffeine. So what's not to like?

Our customers say, "My favourite!"

Rooibos Chai Loose-Leaf Tea

Our Rooibos Chai blend is an expertly blended mix of Rooibos, cinnamon, ginger, fennel, anise, cloves and cardamom. The brewed tea is colourful, aromatic and tastes earthy and spicy.

Rooibos Chocolate Truffle Loose-Leaf Tea

Our Rooibos Chocolate Truffle is another indulgent and utterly delicious chocolatey tea. Naturally caffeine-free, this fine rooibos tea is produced in South Africa. It is expertly blended with natural vanilla, cacao nibs, and marigold blossoms to create sweet chocolate truffle notes.

Our customers say, "I absolutely love this tea. All the chocolate taste without the calories."

Best Balance Loose-leaf Herbal Tea

Our Best Balance Tea is a smooth blend of Rooibos tea with honeybush, aniseed, fennel, camomile with the taste of honey. A naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion is a balanced blend of a bold red bush with enlivening herbs.

Our customers say, "This one is a current favourite. Very smooth with honey & citrus undertones. Thoroughly recommended."

Joy of Tea Rooibos Cream Orange Teabags

One of our other favourites, Rooibos Cream Orange, is a seductive blend of bold Rooibos, orange peel and velvety Bourbon vanilla. Enlivening and aromatic, the infusion can be drunk by the gallon and delicious hot or made into a cooler.

Our customers say: "This tea is amazing! It's the best version of rooibos tea I've ever had."

Rooibos Earl Grey Loose-Leaf Tea

Our Rooibos Earl Grey is a delightful Rooibos tea with the citrus lift of Bergamot. If you like Earl Grey but prefer to avoid caffeine and up your vitamin C intake, this is the tea for you. This tea has a naturally creamy taste which is complemented by the lemony zing of Bergamot.