Rooibos has been touted as the "miracle tea," and regardless of whether you believe such claims, it's worth getting to know this South African herb. In addition to its use as a fruity, red tisane, rooibos can even be incorporated into sweet and savory dishes.
Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss) is a shrubby plant that grows exclusively in southwestern South Africa. The dried leaves are traditionally used to make tisanes that have no caffeine and fewer tannins than black tea. Although there is a non-oxidized version of rooibos (akin to green tea), the most common oxidized variety is mahogany in color with a naturally sweet, woody, tobacco-y flavor. As for the health benefits, rooibos is high in antioxidants and purported uses include acne, aging, asthma, cancer, and insomnia.
Besides using plain rooibos, or one of the many flavored varieties on the market, as a hot or cold tea, it also makes a pretty and flavorful base for smoothies and popsicles. It can even be used in cooking. Here are a few recipes to try:
• Iced Ginger Chai from Elana's Pantry
• Apricot Rooibos Flurry from Return To The Garden
• Tea Cookies with Rooibos Sugar from Tasting Table
• Rooibos Butternut "Pizzettas" from Sunset
• Beef Braised in Rooibos Tea from Manu's Menu
Buy it: Organic Fair Trade Rooibos at Arbor Teas
Do you drink rooibos? What's your favorite kind?
Related: Good Question: How Can I Find Good Decaffeinated Tea?
(Images: Flickr member Lyle Nel licensed under Creative Commons; Arbor Teas)
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I have a few teas with rooibos in the blend, but I've never tried it by itself. Does one need to be careful with how long it steeps?
I've been drinking this for a year. It was the one thing that almost got me to quit coffee (I was supposed to for medical reasons). It's awesome. I don't know that the effects have been studied so I'd be aware of that. It allegedly is picked by hand in the mountains so no deforestation with this plant. But I'd have to investigate to confirm that. Anyway, it's freaking delish. I have it with lemon and sugar.
Dumb question here, but can tea be made in a French press??
@Emmi, not a dumb question...I've been wonder that for years
@CatlinP I think it must be possible although the herbal texture might be an issue......
If anyone is wanting to buy some pre-bottled Rooibos, my favorite brand is Rooibee Red Tea. They have amazing flavors like vanilla chai, watermelon mint, and peach. I always have to pick up a bottle of watermelon mint whenever I see it in a store :-)
Check out their website to see if it's sold in a store near you: http://www.rooibeeredtea.com/content.asp
Rooibos is great, but be careful if you're allergic to peanuts, since the plants are related.
My boyfriend has a peanut allergy, and when he had a sip or two of rooibos tea he had a mild to moderate reaction.
You can definitely make tea in a french press, though smaller granules make, of course, for tea with lots of floaty bits in it.
Not so good if you only want a cup of tea (I can never finish a french press by myself before the flavor starts to go...off...I don't know how to describe it, but I find that a fresh cup of tea is best) but excellent if you want to split it with a guest or two!
I make all kinds of stuff with my french press - I often will slice up ginger or shred it into a pot of boiling water with a bit of honey when I'm sickly. It's medicine like a punch in the face is medicine.
I serve plain or vanilla roobios after dinner instead of coffee, with a choice of almond milk or cream - better than decaf. Thanks for the Peanuts heads-up!
I'm usually not a tea snob, but Tazo's rooibos tea is kind of terrible. Don't order red tea at Starbucks.
A Chicago tea shop chain (Argo) makes a great vanilla rooibos latte. If you love lattes but are avoiding caffeine, it's a great drink.
Rooibos tea is delicious! I prefer hybiscus and/or rosehip tea for that extra fruity flavor, though.
@Emmi and @CaitlinP
Yes-- but it depends on the kind of tea you use. Herbal (like rooibos) and fruit teas do incredibly well in a French press, since they won't become bitter if oversteeped. Teas that are sensitive to steep times (like green or white) probably shouldn't be put into one.
That said, DAVIDsTEA has several amazing teas with rooibos blends (some of my personal favourites are "Jessie's Tea" (coconut and lavender) and "Orange Blossom" (orange and currants). In fact-- I think imma go make a cup now.
My dad who is super into health stuff loves Rooibos, and recently my husband and I went on our honeymoon to southern Africa-they drink Rooibos tea or "bushman" tea as some call it there daily, its their typical morning tea and its sooo delicious. And has tons of antioxidants so it made me feel healthy. We brought a bunch of it home and have put it in our daily routine.
I grew up on rooiboos tea :) had it in my bottle as a baby and toddler if I didnt want to drink water. I used it as a "facewash" as a teen to help with problem skin, you can also tear up the teabag and use the tea as a scrub. I still enjoy a cup before bedtime. I am now 29.
Proudly South African product indeed.
Nothing more comforting that a mug of rooibos tea on a cold winters day. I also drink the espresso version (made by Redespresso) as a cappuccino, with honey. hmmm
@marywynn
Rooibos is at its best not only steeped, but simmered on the stove for a while. We often use our enamel teapot for it. Or I make it in a mug and microwave for a while.
@emmi
The farms I've been to all harvest by hand. It's usually grown on smallish scale. A lot of those are organic too. And there are a few income-generation-projects for the poorer farm workers.
Good timing, I just got a free sample of this stuff along with another tea I bought (a honeybush tisane with vanilla). Will give it a try!