What is rooibos tea? How is rooibos tea made? The health benefits of rooibos tea are extensive. What are the best tasting kinds of rooibos tea available?
What is rooibos tea?
Rooibos tea comes from the leaves of a red bush plant, which is grown in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Rooibos tea does not come from the camellia sinensis plant, like other common tea varieties, such as white tea, black tea, oolong tea and green tea.
Is rooibos tea really a tea?
We call it tea because, in this country, we call anything we put in water, “tea”. Rooibos is technically a tisane or herbal.
How do you pronounce rooibos?
You pronounce rooibos like Roy Boss. It is an Afrikaans word which means “Red Bush”.
How is rooibos tea processed?
Generally, the leaves are oxidized. This process produces the distinctive reddish-brown color of rooibos and enhances the flavor.
Unoxidized “green” rooibos is also produced, but the more demanding production process for green rooibos (similar to the method by which green tea is produced) makes it more expensive than traditional rooibos.
It carries a malty and slightly grassy flavor somewhat different from its red counterpart.
What are the health benefits of drinking rooibos tea?
There are many health benefits of drinking rooibos tea.
Rooibos is naturally caffeine free, so it is great to drink in the evening. These teas are very anti-inflammatory so they are great for people with arthritis. Also, pain is inflammation so they can be helpful for that as well.
Rooibos has vitamins and minerals that tea does not have. It is very high in potassium and calcium so South African women give it to their babies in bottles. They are one of the best things in the world for a baby with colic.
I sure wish I had known about that when I had babies. It is great for you if you have digestive issues as well.
Rooibos has similar health generating nutrients as the other red foods, such as cherries, red grapes, acai berries, and pomegranates.
If you have stress this is the tea for you. You may not like the taste the first time you try it but give it another shot because you will feel so relaxed it is worth it. The first time I tasted it I thought it tasted like baby vitamins. Now I really love the taste!
If you want to look younger drink this tea because it is so high in alpha hydroxy and will help reduce wrinkles. You see Rooibos extract in many cosmetics. It can also be helpful in the treatment of eczema.
Rooibos is so good for the immune system and has double the anti-oxidants of green tea. Try a cuppa if you have trouble sleeping at night. You will relax and usually drift right to sleep.
Our Organic Ginger Citrus Rooibos is very helpful for seasonal allergies. It can also relax the throat and enhance singing abilities. This is a green rooibos.
Where to buy the best organic rooibos teas online
The best rooibos tea is organic, since it is free of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides that may be used while the tea is growing.
The Path of Tea sells 19 different loose leaf rooibos teas online. We only carry organic rooibos teas (not conventionally grown teas), along with organic loose leaf teas of all varieties. Try one of these delicious rooibos teas today:
- Organic Cream Caramel Rooibos
- Organic Thin Mint Rooibos
- Organic Passion Fruit Rooibos
- Organic Chocolate Cream Rooibos
- Organic Strawberry Mango Rooibos
- Shop all our Organic Rooibos Teas here
This content has been adapted from the book Your Path of Tea for Health of Body, Mind and Spirit by the late Thia McKann, Tea Master and Owner of The Path of Tea.