South African Wild Rooibos Tea

Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion made from the needle-like leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. Though it's commonly referred to as tea, it is not from the Camellia sinensis plant. Rooibos is a type of legume indigenous to South Africa's Cederberg mountains in the Cape of South Africa - it cannot be found anywhere else in the world. The word rooibos means "red bush" in Afrikaans, and rooibos tea is also known as 'red bush tea' or 'red tea'.

Because Rooibos comes from a fragile ecosystem in a semi-arid desert; monocropping and industrial farming are having devastating effects on this UNESCO World Heritage area. Ours is harvested wild from ancient bushes. There is almost zero ecological impact from this carefully managed harvesting and the area is protected.

Our Wild Harvest Rooibos also tastes so much richer - deep earthy, bright red berry and woody notes, with a subtle flavour of burnt caramel.

Rooibos does not have caffeine. Because rooibos is completely caffeine free, an infusion of rooibos is an ideal drink any time of the day, a great alternative to caffeinated tea or coffee.

A strong brew is also delicious with milk - a great replacement for English Breakfast tea as a comforting bedtime drink or for a milky coffee in the morning, when you're feeling a bit too hyper but need a hot drink (rooibos also contains more antioxidants than coffee).

Is rooibos good for you?

Rooibos has been enjoyed and used as a natural medicine for thousands of years by the indigenous people of South Africa. It is recommended there for children with upset stomachs or babies being weaned. Rooibos can be especially good for recovery from sickness, a hangover, or whenever we might need to rehydrate, whether winding down at night after a stressful day or after exercise.

It is especially good for hydration through its balance of essential minerals, antioxidants, and electrolytes.

Rooibos has high levels of flavonoids and contains the following minerals: calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, sodium, potassium and zinc. It also has polyphenols, especially aspalathin, which is only found in Rooibos. The combination of these key vitamins and minerals means that rooibos consumption can help the body reabsorb water quickly- if you're really dehydrated, you need salt and sugar - the minerals in rooibos are not enough. Adding a flake of salt and a drop of something sweet like honey or maple syrup will help to increase the isotonic properties of rooibos. This also helps the natural caramel notes emerge, transforming the woody flavours to toffee.

A number of peer-reviewed studies in scientific journals have examined the health effects of rooibos, such as its regulation of cholesterol levels and reduction of the risk of Type 2 diabetes, plus its impact on lowering blood sugar levels. However, many of these studies are not conducted on humans and are not conclusive. The connection between rooibos consumption and the reduced risk of heart disease, through potential improvement of cardiovascular function is most supported. Yet, it is important to note that many studies use concentrations of compounds within rooibos, not infusions of rooibos.

To make a hot rooibos tea use 3g (0.2 oz) and boiling water. The ideal infusion time depends on the strength of flavour you enjoy - anything from 1-5 minutes. Because it contains almost no tannins or bitter elements, it can handle a long infusion without over infusing.

Rooibos is delicious hot or cold - we recommend making a hot infusion and leaving it to cool before putting it in the fridge if you want to enjoy it cold. It will stay stable for a few days.

While it cannot be considered a cure-all, Rooibos can support overall well being and tastes wonderful - which always makes you feel good.