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There are a lot of ways that tea blenders use rooibos (sometimes called "red tea") these days, whether it's in a straight herbal tea (tisane) or blended with real teas to add flavor to the blend. A quick glance at Wikipedia shows that one common way to describe its flavor is "sweet (without sugar added) and slightly nutty" and I find this to be true. Sometimes I find myself mistaking a rooibos flavor for adding vanilla in a blend, only slightest earthier.
What is rooibos? When I started STeaP with my co-host Joe, I asked the same question of Joe and was told that it's a tree bark, but have since learned that rooibos is a bush-like plant that belongs to the legume family. It's native to South Africa, specifically the Western Cape region. Rooibos is completely caffeine-free, so it's a healthy alternative for those who avoid caffeine.
Preparation of a straight rooibos is the same as that of a black tea (boiling water temperature, additives such as milk and sugar can add to the experience), and processing of the rooibos plant is also similar, involving oxidation (which is often inaccurately referred to by the tea world as "fermentation"). There is an unoxidized form of rooibos (commonly called "green rooibos" as opposed to red), but it's less commonly used and more expensive than the typical "red tea." When preparing a tea with rooibos, remember to keep in mind that rooibos is very, very fine and dust can often slip through tea balls and other infusers. Use a very fine mesh infuser to make your rooibos, such as the Finum brewing basket.
Rooibos is used by almost every tea company I frequent, many creating blends that focus on the rooibos as a primary component, while some add rooibos more as an added flavor to a traditional tea. I've seen very creative uses, such as rooibos chai, rooibos earl grey, and in South Africa, there is a company that has patented a red espresso. I personally recommend Adagio's Foxtrot tea (it's actually a tisane), which is my favorite way to enjoy rooibos. What's your favorite way to enjoy rooibos?
What is rooibos? When I started STeaP with my co-host Joe, I asked the same question of Joe and was told that it's a tree bark, but have since learned that rooibos is a bush-like plant that belongs to the legume family. It's native to South Africa, specifically the Western Cape region. Rooibos is completely caffeine-free, so it's a healthy alternative for those who avoid caffeine.
Preparation of a straight rooibos is the same as that of a black tea (boiling water temperature, additives such as milk and sugar can add to the experience), and processing of the rooibos plant is also similar, involving oxidation (which is often inaccurately referred to by the tea world as "fermentation"). There is an unoxidized form of rooibos (commonly called "green rooibos" as opposed to red), but it's less commonly used and more expensive than the typical "red tea." When preparing a tea with rooibos, remember to keep in mind that rooibos is very, very fine and dust can often slip through tea balls and other infusers. Use a very fine mesh infuser to make your rooibos, such as the Finum brewing basket.
Rooibos is used by almost every tea company I frequent, many creating blends that focus on the rooibos as a primary component, while some add rooibos more as an added flavor to a traditional tea. I've seen very creative uses, such as rooibos chai, rooibos earl grey, and in South Africa, there is a company that has patented a red espresso. I personally recommend Adagio's Foxtrot tea (it's actually a tisane), which is my favorite way to enjoy rooibos. What's your favorite way to enjoy rooibos?
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7-04-2008 @4:41PM Emily said... I love rooibos; plain, flavored, blended, almost any way. But I am a huge fan of Foxtrot (and almost all Adagio teas)
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7-04-2008 @2:45PM Scott said... The good people at Upton Teas make a few INCREDIBLY delicious rooibos tisane blends, and I am TOTALLY hooked on them in the winter as a caffeine-free but very bold-tasting treat. Specifically, the "poire creme" (with pear and cream flavors) and the "Rote Grutze" (with all kinds of berries and deliciousness... smells kind of like cherry Luden's, but tastes incredible).
The "red tea" designation is always so confusing to me, because in Chinese tea terminology, what we usually refer to as "black tea" is called "red tea" (which really is closer to the actual color anyway).
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7-05-2008 @4:27PM jred said... My favorite way to enjoy rooibos is cold steaped in apple juice. I'm gonna go make some now....
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7-06-2008 @1:11AM Lzbeth said... It's my nightly tea treat without the worry of the crazy caffeine keeping me up, heavy on the local honey. So soothing!
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7-16-2008 @3:48PM Christie said... Weirdly - roobios seems to always give me a piercing headache so I have to avoid it at all costs.
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12-30-2008 @12:07PM Oliver said... Hey, I was wondering if anyone had tried any of Kalahari's Organic tea. Kalahari rooibos red tea is a caffeine free, anti-oxidant rich tea made with very fine rooibos leaves giving it a smooth taste. Check it out here: http://www.kalaharitea.com/. Hope you enjoy it.
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3-25-2009 @2:55PM David Petrvalsky said... Hi, try something new: Rooibos Happy Easter Tea. This red caffeine free tea high in antioxidants will not only boost your immune system but also soothe your soul. http://finest-herbal-tea.com/tea/rooibos-happy-easter-tea/
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