Rooibos, a South African shrub, produces a popular herbal tea when its leaves are dried and oxidized. It is not real tea, but a blend of herbs, and is rich in antioxidants and low in tannins and caffeine. Rooibos can also be used in skin care products.
Rooibos is a shrub native to South Africa grown for its shoots and leaves. When dried, it produces a flavoursome and distinctive drink that is very popular in South Africa. Growing awareness of the drink around the world increased demand in the 1990s, and it’s not uncommon to see rooibos on the menu in coffee shops and tea shops. Many markets also carry it for home brewing.
In Afrikaans, rooibos means “red bush,” a reference to the striking red color the leaves get after they’ve been oxidized. Some consumers mistakenly call the drink made from these leaves “red tea” when it is not real tea, as it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead it is classified as a herbal tea, a blend of herbs, and is handled very differently than tea.
When Rooibos is processed, whole branches filled with short needle-shaped leaves are cut, bruised and left to dry. The bruises encourage oxidation, which will eventually turn the leaves a rich red color. Once dried, it can be roasted for extra flavor or sold plain. Another form, green Rooibos, cannot oxidize. As a result, it has a much different flavor, as well as a higher concentration of vitamins and minerals than the fermented version which is more widely known.
The Rooibos bush, formally known as Aspalathus linearis, thrives best in the Western Cape Province, where it has been grown and used for centuries by the native Khoisan. In the 1700s, European explorers took note of the plant and its uses, and consumption of the drink made from it spread among new settlers in the region. One cup tastes slightly nutty and sweet, and is packed with antioxidants, making it a pretty healthy drink. The herbal tea is also low in tannins that could interfere with digestion and make it bitter and has no caffeine.
Unlike tea, rooibos actually benefits from a long steeping. The longer the leaves and buds remain in hot water, the tastier and richer the resulting herbal tea. Since it has no caffeine, it is safe for young children to drink and some mothers give it to restless babies as it appears to have calming properties. It can also relieve headaches and nerves. Rooibos is sometimes incorporated into skin care products, as it appears to soothe and nourish the skin and body.
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