Tasting Notes

More delicate than red rooibos. Herbal flavors somewhat reminiscent of traditional green teas (though it cannot be mistaken for traditional green tea), with natural sweetness, and not a hint of bitterness or astringency. Almost unbelievably smooth and delicate.

Product Details

Sold in 50 gram quantity (25-30 cups) in a foil backed window bag

Organic

Naturally caffeine free.

Preparation

Infuse one teaspoon per cup for 3 minutes or longer in 180F water.

Rooibos can be infused for extended period without becoming bitter.

Rooibos is not suitable for more than one infusion.

The Backstory

Rooibos (pronounced "roy-bos") translates to "Red Bush", and is grown only in a small area in the Cedarberg of the Western Cape province, South Africa. Technically a member of the legume family, Rooibos is actually not a tea, per se. The plant reminds me a little of rosemary in it appearance, and the fine needles of the bush are used to produce the "tea".

This rooibos is green, or unoxidized, rooibos. The process for arriving at green rooibos is more demanding than that of red rooibos, thus making it slightly less common in the marketplace.

Rooibos is becoming more popular in Western countries particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants, its lack of caffeine, and its low tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves. Rooibos is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems. Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviating infantile colic, allergies, asthma and dermatological problems. Green rooibos contains higher levels of beneficial compounds than its fully oxidized counterpart.

This organic rooibos makes beautiful, orangish-tinted cup, with aromas of grass and fruit, and a distinctive herbal flavor.