Rooibos Tea Guide: Flavor, Benefits, and How to Prepare It
What is Rooibos Tea? | Types of Rooibos Tea | Rooibos Tea Flavor | Benefits of Rooibos Tea | How to Prepare Rooibos Tea | Other Ways to Enjoy Rooibos
Rooibos tea is becoming a favorite infusion for those seeking healthy, caffeine-free beverages. This traditional South African beverage delights the senses with its intense red color and blend of sweet, smoky, and herbal flavors.
In this article, I'll tell you all about this revered African beverage: the types of rooibos, its flavor, its incredible health benefits, and the best tips for preparing it like a pro.
What is rooibos tea?
Rooibos tea is native to Africa, where it has been harvested for over 300 years. The rooibos plant grows exclusively in the Cederberg Mountains of South Africa.
Rooibos tea is commonly called “red bush tea,” which literally means “red bush tea.” The term “rooibos” has been legally protected in South Africa since 2013. This means that tea can only be labeled as rooibos tea if the leaves come directly from the rooibos plant, botanically known as Aspalathus linearis.
Types of rooibos and production
There are two main types of rooibos tea: red rooibos and green rooibos. Both varieties come from the same plant, but undergo different production methods. As with tea, different types of tea are obtained depending on the degree of oxidation the leaves undergo.
Red rooibos tea leaves are harvested and oxidized to produce deep maroon leaves. Red rooibos, often referred to as traditional rooibos or simply rooibos, is the most well-known and widely consumed tea.
Green rooibos leaves are not oxidized and undergo a production process similar to that of green tea. The leaves are harvested and dried to prevent oxidation.
Rooibos teas are graded based on the proportion of leaves and stems in each batch. Higher-quality rooibos teas contain mostly leaves and tend to have a better flavor, a milder aftertaste, and a darker color.
What does rooibos tea taste like?
Red rooibos tea has a flavor and color profile similar to that of hibiscus flower tea. It has floral notes, a slightly acidic finish, and a deep red color. Depending on the oxidation time, you can find rooibos with smokier flavors or notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla.
Green rooibos has a much more herbal flavor, but unlike green tea, it's not bitter or astringent. Like red rooibos, green rooibos has a sweet, full-bodied flavor, but is lighter and less complex. Its flavor is similar to yerba mate.
Rooibos does not contain caffeine.
Rooibos tea does not contain caffeine or theine, making it an ideal choice as a base tea for flavored and herbal infusions. This intensely colored, full-bodied infusion is often used as an alternative to black tea, as its versatility allows it to be prepared in a variety of ways, as we'll see later, without the side effects associated with theine.
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Benefits of Rooibos tea
These are the health benefits of rooibos that have been most studied in recent years:
- It has a high antioxidant content
- It is very digestive
- Helps reduce the “stress hormone,” cortisol
- It reduces the feeling of hunger, making it a good supplement for weight loss.
- It is a bronchodilator, helping to reduce congestion and cough.
- It is anti-inflammatory
To reap these health benefits, the best option is to choose an organically certified rooibos tea. This will ensure your tea is free of harmful chemicals that can have long-term side effects.
It's also advisable to opt for loose tea instead of tea bags. This is because loose teas contain the whole leaves of the rooibos plant and, therefore, all the nutrients and healthy compounds. Loose tea also produces a better flavor and a more satisfying experience.
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How to prepare rooibos tea?
Rooibos tea is very easy to prepare, and you don't have to control the steeping time and temperature as much as with conventional teas. So, even if you forget to remove the rooibos leaves from the water, it won't turn bitter.
Rooibos is often enjoyed in a similar way to black tea, accompanied by a little milk and honey. It can also be prepared cold or made into delicious lattes.
Instructions
- Heat the water in a kettle or small saucepan until it comes to a boil.
- Add two small spoonfuls of rooibos to your infuser and place it in the cup.
- Pour in the water and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. If you let it sit longer, the flavor will be more intense.
- You can drink it like that or add a slice of lemon, honey, or a little milk.
Other ways to enjoy rooibos tea
Rooibos Vanilla Iced Tea Latte
Vanilla rooibos is one of the most common and delicious blends you can find. For this recipe, we used Replantea's Organic Vanilla and Calendula Rooibos .
Ingredients
- 250 ml of water
- 2 small spoons of Rooibos with Vanilla and Calendula
- 1 small spoonful of honey
- 200 ml of milk of your choice (almond milk is delicious)
- Ice
Instructions
- Prepare the rooibos tea as explained above and let it cool for 10 minutes.
- Add the honey and mix well.
- Let it cool in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Combine the tea with the milk in a glass pitcher.
- Serve in tall glasses with plenty of ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Rooibos Chai Tea
You can make an excellent caffeine-free chai tea by substituting rooibos for black tea. You can also use Rooibos with Vanilla and Calendula for this recipe.
Ingredients
- 6 cups or 1.5 liters of water
- 3 small spoons of Rooibos tea
- 1 small spoonful of cloves
- 10 cardamom pods
- 1 small spoonful of black peppercorns
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 piece of ginger
Instructions
- Grind all the spices with a grinder or mortar and pestle. You can also use pre-ground spices.
- Add the spices and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Add the rooibos and let it cook over medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Strain the chai tea through a fine mesh strainer and pour it over the cups.
- You can add a cinnamon stick for decoration and accompany it with a little milk if you wish.
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