What Makes Rooibos Tea Unique?

Over 300 years ago, indigenous bushmen, also known as the Khoisan people, garnered the leaves from the Aspalathus Linearis plant which they used to make herbal remedies for ailments. They also loved the delicious, aromatic taste and used the leaves in brews and stews. 

In the 1700s, the Dutch settlers in South Africa were looking for an affordable alternative to black tea and stumbled upon the rooibos bush which today is consumed globally but produced locally. 

What makes Rooibos tea unique is the fact that it comes from a herb that is native to a South African mountainous region called Cederberg. Cederberg is situated in the northern part of Cape Town that bears exceptional botanical diversity which makes it a hotspot for tourists and businesses today.

Despite several attempts by people over the world to grow the rooibos bush commercially, they have failed due to the lack of acidic soil, the right climate, and unique microorganisms. Even today Cape Town remains the only hub for commercial rooibos and about 12,000 tonnes of rooibos tea is produced annually of which 7,000 tonnes are exported.

Rooibos Tea: A unique blend of flavors and health benefits

Rooibos is a caffeine-free herb with low levels of tannin, which is an organic substance that gives plants a bitter taste. This is commonly found in black tea, oolong tea, and green tea and is known to hinder digestion and reduce metabolism. Because rooibos is low in tannin, it has become a popular choice among tea drinkers around the world. You will not only find this unique herb in beverages but you will also find it in stews, pies, cookies, and other baked goods. 

What makes the rooibos flavor profile unique is its naturally sweet, smoky, nutty, and vanilla taste. If we had to describe the herb as a holiday, we would describe it as Christmas in a cup. 

Like any other herbal infusion, the rooibos herb is steeped in boiling water to produce tea. The herb brews into a spectrum of a reddish-orange tone that yields a woody, smoky note with a hint of vanilla. 

You can pair it with milk, cream, or even honey to elevate its flavor. Traditionally, Rooibos tea is enjoyed with a splash of honey to add a hint of sweetness. 

If you’d love to give the rooibos tea a try, you can head over to tetique and get your hands on organically grown and hand-picked infusions. We offer a selection of infusions such as Mango & strawberry-infused rooibos, cream-cinnamon rooibos blends, or loose rooibos in bulk. We accept bulk orders and offer discounts on certain orders as well. 

Rooibos Health Benefits

1. It is caffeine free: pregnant women, children, or stressed people, in general, can enjoy a warm cup of rooibos because it’s naturally caffeine free and safe. You don’t have to worry about heart palpitations or jitteriness and it helps people to relax. 
2. It’s a powerhouse of antioxidants: antioxidants are essential for fighting free radicals and reducing cell damage. If you’re generally exposed to bad air, smoke, or direct sunlight you should increase your intake of antioxidants. 
3. Keep your skin young and plump: the presence of alpha hydroxyl acid helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and keeps your skin looking fresh. The superoxide dismutase present in Rooibos tea has anti-aging properties and promotes the production of healthy skin cells. So if you’d like to maintain healthy skin, a cup of rooibos tea a day can do wonders. 
4. Alleviates pain: Rooibos contains anti-spasmodic compounds that alleviate abdominal pain, arthritis pain, and any inflammation caused by allergies. 
5. It supports heart health: Rooibos contains chrysoeriol flavonoid, a compound that is essential to lower blood pressure, bad cholesterol, and plaque build-up. 

In conclusion, it is safe to say that Rooibos tea is a phenomenal blend of flavor and health benefits. Whether you are looking to lose weight, control your heart health, or wish to enhance your appearance the key to all these is this magical ingredient ergo Rooibos.What makes Rooibos tea unique is the fact that it comes from a herb that is native to a South African mountainous region called Cederberg.