What is Rooibos?
Rooibos, also known as red bush tea, is a caffeine-free herbal tea that comes from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, which is native to South Africa. The plant has needle-like leaves that are harvested, oxidised, and then dried to create the tea.
Rooibos has a sweet, slightly nutty flavour and a reddish-brown colour. It is often enjoyed on its own or with milk and sugar, and it can also be used as a base for other beverages like lattes and cocktails.
What is so special about rooibos?
Rooibos is a native South African herb and not technically considered a true "tea." Nevertheless, it is a versatile plant that, once harvested and dried, can be brewed into a delightful reddish-brown herbal infusion commonly known as "African red tea" or "red bush tea" in the tea industry.
What does rooibos tea taste like?
The taste of rooibos tea is often described as sweet and slightly nutty, with a hint of vanilla or caramel. Some people also detect a subtle earthy or woody note in the taste.
Unlike black or green tea, rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and has a lower tannin content, which gives it a smooth and mellow taste.
Rooibos tea is delicious both hot and cold. Its taste can easily be altered to your personal preference by adding milk, sugar, dried fruits, spices, or anything else you would like.
Chemical composition of rooibos
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Nutritional Information for Rooibos Tea |
Amount per 8 oz. serving |
|
Calories |
0 |
|
Total Fat |
0 g |
|
Saturated Fat |
0 g |
|
Trans Fat |
0 g |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
|
Sodium |
0 mg |
|
Total Carbohydrate |
0 g |
|
Dietary Fiber |
0 g |
|
Total Sugars |
0 g |
|
Protein |
0 g |
|
Vitamin D |
0 mcg |
|
Calcium |
0 mg |
|
Iron |
0 mg |
|
Potassium |
0 mg |
Unlike regular tea, rooibos tea is completely caffeine-free, making it an excellent choice for people who want to limit their caffeine intake. Additionally, rooibos tea has lower levels of tannins than black or green tea (source).
Rooibos tea is also a rich source of polyphenols, which include
flavanols
flavones
flavanones
dihydrochalcones
aspalathin
nothofagin
These polyphenols possess antioxidant properties and are believed to offer a range of health benefits, such as reducing inflammation and protecting against chronic diseases.
Furthermore, rooibos tea's processed leaves and stems contain benzoic and cinnamic acids, which have antimicrobial properties and contribute to the tea's unique taste and aroma (source).
Benefits
Aside from its delicious taste, rooibos is also known for its many potential health benefits:
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Health Benefit |
Description |
Sources |
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Antioxidant properties |
Rooibos tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect the body against oxidative stress and damage from free radicals. |
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Anti-inflammatory effects |
The flavonoids and polyphenols in rooibos tea have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation in the body and improve symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. |
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Digestive benefits |
Rooibos tea has been found to have digestive benefits, including reducing diarrhea and stomach cramps. It may also help improve gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. |
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Potential cancer-fighting properties |
Some preliminary research suggests that the compounds in rooibos tea may have cancer-fighting properties, including the ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings. |
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Cardiovascular benefits |
Rooibos tea has been shown to have potential cardiovascular benefits, including reducing blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. These effects may help lower the risk of heart disease. |
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No caffeine |
Unlike normal tea, rooibos tea does not contain caffeine. Even though caffeine can also bring some benefits, it is also associated with sleep problems, heart palpitations and headaches. |
Rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your body against free radical damage and reduce inflammation.
Rooibos is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, making it a popular choice for people with allergies, asthma, and digestive issues.
Caffeine content in rooibos
Another great thing about rooibos is that it is caffeine-free, so it's a great option for people who want to avoid caffeine or who are sensitive to it. It is also low in tannins, which can cause stomach upset in some people.
Uses
Rooibos tea has a range of other uses beyond just being a tea. For example, you could use it to make:
Latte
Iced tea
Cocktails
In addition to that it is also used in:
Cooking
Cosmetics
and as a DIY plant-based dye
Production and processing
Rooibos tea is processed in a similar way as the regular tea plant.
The general production process of rooibos tea is as follows:
Fresh rooibos → bundling → sorting → oxidation → drying → rooibos tea
The process of harvesting and preparing rooibos tea involves cutting the plant's stems and leaves by hand, then bundling, sorting, and oxidising them.
There are two main types of rooibos tea - red and green rooibos.
The level of oxidation determines whether the resulting tea is red or green rooibos.
Red rooibos is more oxidised and has a sweeter, richer flavour. This is because the distinctive red colour of rooibos is produced during the oxidation step.
Green rooibos is less oxidised, its production process is more similar to green tea, and it therefore retains a more grassy taste.
Because of the differences in production methods, green rooibos ends up being more expensive than red rooibos tea.
How to brew rooibos tea: Step by step recipe
Making rooibos tea is very easy and can be done in just a few simple steps:
Ingredients:
1 tsp rooibos tea leaves
1 large cup of water
honey or milk (optional)
Directions:
Bring water to a boil.
Add the rooibos tea leaves to the teapot and gently pour hot water over them.
Steep for around 5-7 minutes and then strain.
If desired, add honey or milk.
Serve and enjoy!
Tips for making rooibos tea:
Start by bringing water to a boil and then letting it cool for a few minutes to around 203-212°F (95-100°C). This temperature range is perfect for extracting the full flavour and benefits of the tea without scorching it.
Add one to two teaspoons of loose rooibos tea per cup of water, or one tea bag per cup. If you prefer a stronger brew, you can add more tea.
Let the rooibos tea steep for 5-7 minutes, or longer if a stronger flavour is desired.
You can also cold-brew the tea overnight in cold water.
Rooibos tea goes well with milk and sweetener, but is just as tasty when consumed plain.
How to store rooibos
You can store rooibos tea, the same way you store your regular teas:
Keep your tea in an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, and moisture.
Make sure it is stored away from sources of heat.
The best way to store rooibos tea is to use an airtight container or a tea storage tin with a double lid. This will help to optimally preserve its natural aroma and taste.
Grading
The quality of rooibos tea mostly depends on the amount of leaves compared to stems in the blend. A higher percentage of leaves, results in tea with a more vibrant colour, richer flavour, and less dusty aftertaste.
The highest quality rooibos is generally exported and not available in local markets. The largest consumers of this premium grade tea are typically located in the EU, especially Germany.
History
Rooibos tea has a rich history that dates back centuries. Indigenous to the Cederberg region of South Africa, the Khoisan people were the first to harvest and use the leaves of the rooibos plant for medicinal purposes.
In the late 18th century, European settlers began to discover the unique qualities of the plant and its tea, which became a popular alternative to black tea which was very expensive back then.
Around the 1930’s rooibos tea became widely commercially available. Today rooibos tea is not only used as a beverage, but also in cooking, added to cosmetics, and even used as a natural plant-based dye.
Legal protection of the name rooibos
In 2013, the South African Department of Trade and Industry implemented regulations to protect the name "rooibos" and related terms for products derived only from the Aspalathus linearis plant. The rules provide guidelines for how products with rooibos should use the name in branding.
More recently, in May 2021, the European Union granted "protected designation of origin" status to "rooibos." This means that any product sold as "rooibos" within the EU or some other countries must be made solely from Aspalathus linearis leaves grown in the Cederberg region of South Africa. These measures ensure that consumers can trust that the products they purchase with the name "rooibos" are genuine and meet specific quality standards.
Wrap up
Rooibos tea, is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, native to South Africa.
Rooibos has a sweet, slightly nutty flavour and is naturally caffeine-free.
It is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols that can help protect the body against free radical damage and reduce inflammation.
Rooibos is versatile and can be consumed plain, with milk, sugar, or used as a base for other beverages like lattes and cocktails.
The level of oxidation determines whether the resulting tea is red or green rooibos.
In summary, rooibos is a delicious and healthy herbal tea that offers a range of benefits. Whether you're looking for a caffeine-free alternative to coffee or just want to try something new, rooibos is definitely worth a try!