Infusing delectable Indian spices with this unmistakably South African blend of Rooibos Loose Tea is, without a doubt, a match made in heaven! With its combination of two incredible cultures, this delightful and hearty brew takes you on a journey stretching across the Indian ocean to the mountains of the Cederberg region of South Africa.
The mellow taste of caffeine free rooibos is complimented by the addition of top quality spices such as cardamom, ginger and cinnamon in this distinctive and unforgettable beverage!
Enjoyed for centuries, Rooibos Tea shares its history with the Khoisan tribes of the region. These indigenous bushmen harvested the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis plant, originally using it for herbal remedies. Eventually, this would progress to recreational consumption as the Khoisans began to drink Rooibos leaf tea for its delicious and unique taste.
By the 18th Century however, the Khoisans and their way of life began to dwindle as European Colonialism swept across the continent. Rooibos tea was at threat of fading from history before a botanist by the name of Carl Humberg rediscovered the leaves in 1772. This subsequently revived a more widespread interest in the tea-like drink and by 1904, a Russian immigrant with ties to the industry began to market the drink as an herbal alternative to tea.
This would be further boosted by the outbreak of the Second World War, where importing of tea became almost impossible as Imperialist Japan occupied much of the Asian continent. Instead, Rooibos tea was widely consumed around the western hemisphere, allowing the blend to thrive within the industry.
With the war’s conclusion in 1945, it would not be until the 1960’s that Rooibos tea would once again reign supreme. This came in the form of a book published by Annique Theron in 1968, establishing the amazing health benefits of Rooibos tea. Since then, the popularity of Rooibos loose tea has been steadily growing as more and more people explore this delicious and nutritious brew.
Useful Information for Red Chai Rooibos Tea
Type of Tea: Loose Leaf Rooibos.
Origin: The Cederberg Region, South Africa.
Brewing Guide: Brew using freshly boiled water, cover and infuse for 8 to 10 minutes.
How to Serve: This blend tastes great as it is but you can also consider adding milk or honey.
Tasting Notes: A very smooth and subtle taste of Rooibos with slightly spicy notes seeping through from the cardamom, ginger and cinnamon.
Colour in Cup: Ruby-Brown colour, dark in tone.
Benefits of Red Chai Rooibos Tea
Annique Theron’s publication was just the beginning of the journey to fully recognise the outstanding health benefits of Rooibos Tea. Over the course of the past 40 years, countless scientific studies have been conducted to further establish Rooibos Tea’s capabilities. It is now known that health benefits for this wonder brew include improved bone and cardiovascular health, lower cholesterol and even lower chances of diabetes! Further to this, Rooibos Loose Leaf Tea is caffeine free, making it an excellent alternative for those trying to drink less coffee.