Rooibos - What is it?

I LOVE TEA!  There you have it.  My husband often wonders why I am so tea-obsessed but there are so many different types of tea, so many new flavours and combinations of tea to try, so many benefits.  It is my view that a good cup of tea could solve all the world's problems.  There is something about holding a warm mug in your hands that makes everything difficult or challenging seem less so. 

I was recently asked by a fellow blogger "What is Rooibos?"  This is an excellent question.  Rooibos pronounced "roy-bos" is a caffiene-free herbal tea that has become one of the hottest trends in the tea industry.  Rooibos tea is also referred to as Bush Tea, Red Tea, Redbush Tea or Mountain tea.

I first discovered Rooibos while reading the New York Times Bestseller, The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith.  In this series, the main character, Precious Ramotswe frequently entertains clients and guests with a cup of "Bush Tea".  I located Rooibos at a local tea shop and began enjoying the tea while I read the McCall Smith books.  I felt like I was sharing a cup with Percious Ramotswe!  This soon became a ritual for me and before picking up any of the next books in the series, I had to ensure I had adequate quantities of Rooibos on hand.

The story of Rooibos began centuries ago in the Cederberg region of South Africa.  A small tribe of South African Bushmen, the Khoisans, were knowledgeable about the uses of different plants and found the needle-like leaves of the Rooibos plant made a delicious tea.  They began harvesting the plant, with primitive tools, bruised and fermented the leaves.  The tea was then left to dry in the African sun, where it changed from a vivid green to a deep mahogany red, the unique color that Rooibos is known for.  Today Rooibos is processed in much the same way although modern sanitation and mechanization has been incorporated.   

Knowledge of this herb nearly vanished from the planet as the isolated South African Bushmen tribe dwindled away and eventually disappeared.  Rooibos was re-discovered in 1772 by botanist Carl Humberg, who reintroduced the drink and for over a century was enjoyed by South Africans as a daily beverage.  In 1904, Benjamin Ginsberg, a Russian immigrant and pioneer in the area, became interested in Rooibos and realizing its marketing potential, and began offering Rooibos tea globally.

Rooibos is know to have many benefits.  For example, studies show that Rooibos contains many flavinoids, free-radical fighting antioxidants and these may be up to 50 times more effective than those found in Green tea.  It is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties and is known to be an excellent drink for people of all ages including children and pregnant mothers.  I included a short video at the bottom of the blog that I discovered on You Tube highlighting the health benefits of Rooibos.

I am a big fan of Rooibos for many, many reasons.  Besides the fact that it is good for you, Rooibos also tastes great.  It has a smooth, slightly sweet, slightly nutty taste and a deep rich red colour.  It is a very satisfying,  full-bodied tea especially for one that is caffeine free.  It is also extremely forgiving and unlike Green tea which is easily ruined if over-steeped, Rooibos can steep for hours and the taste will remain the same.  This factor alone makes it a great choice for busy parents who often forget about the tea that they just made.  I drink mine plain although I have heard it is also great with lemon and / or honey.  Some people take it with milk, and it also makes a great iced tea.

By the way, if you have had a few too many glasses of wine, beer or other spirits and are dreading the next morning, have 1-2 cups of Rooibos before you hit the hay and you won't feel the effects of the wine - a proactive hangover remedy!

Send your tea questions to halfpintcooks@bell.net and I would be happy to share some tea thoughts with you!