Rooibos is one of the most widely consumed herbal teas throughout the country of South Africa, and is slowly growing in popularity around the globe. But what exactly makes rooibos tea a proudly South African product? Lets dive in.
Rooibos tea has a smooth and sweet taste with hints of vanilla. The tea while traditionally consumed on its own or paired with milk and honey or sugar, is often used to make flavoured beverages such as lattes, red cappuccinos, iced teas and some modern cocktails. Its rich flavour pairs well with many foods and is often infused to create some of the country’s most famous signature dishes.
Rooibos tea is extremely high in anti-oxidants and there are many health benefits that come from drinking rooibos tea. Rooibos tea helps to burn fat, it has anti-inflammatory properties, it promotes bone health, it can reduce cancer-risk as well as protect against diabetes. Rooibos tea is slowly shifting into the category of a super food due to the wide range of health benefits that it possesses.
Rooibos tea is produced from a plant that is native to South Africa, the Aspalathus Linearis Shrub. Rooibos is truly one of the most unique “teas” because of the fact that it is not even a tea in the traditional sense of the word. It is rather a plant that is harvested and dried in order to be brewed into what has been named African Red Tea or Rooibos Tea which directly translates into “Red Bush Tea”.
Rooibos is indigenous to the mountainous region of Cederberg which is just north of Cape Town in South Africa. The Cederberg is one of the most bio-diverse areas in the whole country of South Africa. It contains a protected wildlife area with a wide range of indigenous plants as well as sandstone formations and rock art that was left behind by the indigenous San people or “Bushmen” who had originally inhabited the area.
The Aspalathus Linearis plant from which rooibos tea is made has green, needle-like leaves with small yellow flowers. This plant is a member of the legume family of plants. They flourish in dry areas which receive periods of significant rainfall.
Farm workers harvest, bruise and then ferment these leaves to make tea. After this process the leaves take on a reddish colour which is where the tea received its name. The same leaves can be harvested and dried without being fermented in order to make green rooibos tea.
The proudly South African product that is rooibos tea, plays an important role in the preservation of South African heritage. With the rooibos plant being indigenous to South Africa, the protection of the environment in which it grows is of very high importance. This in turn safe-guards the wildlife and bio-diversity surrounding these indigenous plants. A large part of South African heritage is attributed to its beautiful land and natural environment, so the conservation of this crucial in preserving South African culture and heritage for future generations.
