Rooibos has been receiving a lot of attention in the tea world recently, and rightly so. Rooibos is a naturally sweet, caffeine free herbal tea safe for anyone to consume, from infants to the elderly. The people of South Africa have been drinking Rooibos tea for centuries.
Red Rooibos
Rooibos, or “Red Bush”, derives its name from the color of the leaves after the oxidation process, which turns the leaves red. Rooibos brews up a deep copper-red tea that is also known simply as “Red Tea”.
Green Rooibos
Green Rooibos, the unprocessed leaves, has the same health properties as “Red Tea”, with some of the benefits increased by as much as 30 to 40 times.
5 Things You Should Know About Rooibos:
- Rooibos contains over 40 polyphenol compounds that exhibit antioxidant effects.
- Rooibos is rich in vitamin C, and minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, and zinc.
- Rooibos contains a compound called Superoxide Dismutase, which has been known to boost the immune system.
- Rooibos contains a natural substance called Quercetin, an antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties that may help those suffering from seasonal allergies.
- Rooibos tea maintains the balance of sodium and potassium mineral salts in the body after exercise.
Rooibos is a very versatile herbal tea. You can:
- serve Rooibos tea hot or cold
- refrigerate and reheat it without a change in flavor or appearance
- steep it for long periods of time without bitterness due to the low tannin content
- flavor it with lemon or milk, or add cooled Rooibos tea to fruit juices and smoothies.
I use Green Rooibos tea in Splendiferous Rooibos popsicles, a healthy sugar-free popsicle that I enjoy making for my nieces and nephews.