Rooibos Tea
Afrika Botanicals is a leading and established brand focusing on supplying Rooibos Tea.
We proudly offer our Rooibos Tea to companies and entrepreneurs looking for alternative medicinal ingredients for their production processes.
About
Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis), a bush that grows exclusively on the western coast of South Africa. The rooibos plant is part of the legume family and its leaves turn a distinctive bright red colour during oxidation. It is used to make rooibos tea. Because rooibos is not actually a tea plant (like those used to make black, green, white and oolong teas), rooibos is often referred to as a herbal tea or tisane. With its natural, slightly sweet and earthy flavour profile, rooibos can be consumed plain or with milk and sugar.
Rooibos tea is a rich source of antioxidants, including aspalathin and nothofagin, which are not commonly found in other foods. Preliminary studies on test tubes and animals suggest that these antioxidants could potentially reduce inflammation, protect cells from damage and contribute to heart health by positively influencing blood sugar and cholesterol levels.[1]
Using Rooibos
The most common way to enjoy rooibos is as a tea beverage. Rooibos can be brewed using either rooibos tea bags or loose-leaf rooibos. To brew, steep the tea bag or about 1 teaspoon of loose leaves per 230 ml (8 oz) of hot water for 5-7 minutes. Rooibos tea can be enjoyed plain or with added milk and sweetener like honey or sugar to taste.
Other Uses of Rooibos
- Iced Tea: Rooibos is a refreshing iced tea option. To brew a stronger rooibos tea, use double the amount of tea, then allow it to cool completely before pouring over ice. You can also cold brew rooibos in the refrigerator by steeping the leaves in cool water for 8-12 hours.
- Lattes/Coffee Substitutes: Finely ground rooibos can be used like coffee grounds to make a caffeine-free “rooibos latte.” The rooibos are brewed strongly and then combined with steamed milk and desired sweeteners or flavours.
- Cooking & Baking: The earthy, slightly sweet flavour of rooibos pairs well with both sweet and savoury dishes. Try using rooibos tea instead of water or other liquids when baking breads, cakes, or cookies. Rooibos can also be used to make syrups, glazes, vinaigrettes, and marinades.
- Extracts & Supplements: Concentrated rooibos extracts are available as dietary supplements in pill or powder form. These provide a concentrated dose of rooibos’ antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.
- Topical Applications: Some people use cooled rooibos tea as a hair rinse or include rooibos extracts in homemade skincare products like soap, lotion, and face masks due to their antioxidant properties.
References:
[1] Baba, H., Ohtsuka, Y., Haruna, H., Lee, T., Nagata, S., Maeda, M., … & Kawabata, J. (2009). Studies of anti-inflammatory effects of Rooibos tea in rats. Pediatrics International, 51(5), 700-704.
[2] Joubert, E., & de Beer, D. (2011). Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) beyond the farm gate: From herbal tea to potential panacea. In VI International Congress on Mountain and Steep Slopes Viticulture (pp. 41-47).
Links:
https://www.webmd.com/diet/rooibos-tea-benefits-and-side-effects
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164031
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/rooibos-tea-benefits
https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/75/table-of-contents/article3108/