Rooibos
Just a Splash is Tour de Tea’s economical info-dump where we answer our most frequently asked questions in under 500 words. A true Goliath of a task for our verbose tendencies. Today’s topic is Rooibos Tea.
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Rooibos tea is one of the most beautiful and dependable teas you can drink. Its steadfast service in effortlessly providing a satisfying brew has never faltered, and yet it might have been 12 months since we put it on for tasting at the New Farm store. This was noted with guilt and humility just recently. As such, this journal piece intends to correct a small injustice to this loyal bystander in the range.
At Tour de Tea, we go through phases of tea appreciation, just like many tea drinkers. Everything is loved, but a select few seem to have their special season, both literally and figuratively. Speaking literally – we become purists during the winter months. We turn to pure-leaf black tea, traditional Japanese hojichas, umami greens, nutty oolongs, and nourishing herbals which warm you at your core. To us, it seems fairly intuitive.
More figuratively, Amy has been in her Lapsang Souchong season and is endlessly incredulous as to how desperately devoted she is to the brew. Hannah is in her ‘brewed-like-they-do-in-Sri-Lanka’, English Breakfast season, offering her overworked teapot a wink as she silently bids it goodnight, knowing their paths will once again meet in the morning.
These things shift and change with the tides and moon, but in the flux, occasionally, a stalwart can be overlooked. As such, in service to a loyal friend, we are spending some time to relish a few interesting pieces of information around Rooibos tea.
Basic Introductions – A brief overview of Rooibos, Red Tea, Rooitea, Red Bush Tea.
Rooibos is a tea known by many names. It is derived from a completely different plant (Aspalathus linearis) to traditional tea (Camellia sinensis). So while colloquially it is a tea, more technically, it is a tisane.
It is native to the Cederberg Mountains on the western coast of South Africa. Due to the geography, conditions of growth are perfect for the plant and healthy cultivation elsewhere has proved a struggle. Its use began with the Khosian people who are native to the land. They primarily used the plant as a herbal remedy. An overview of its history repeats the usual story of most teas, which is to say – an ancient and long used botanical, becoming commercialised and then globally demanded through the avenues of trade and colonialism.
A Favourite of Caffeine-Free Tea Drinkers – particularly for children or pregnancy.
As a zero–caffeine, antioxidant and mineral rich tea, Rooibos is routinely a brew on which pregnant people depend. It affords a tea-like drink with body, without concerns of caffeine consumption. Due to this, it also is an infusion which is enjoyed by children. Consequently, people in South Africa hold sentimentality for the leaf, as a treasured drink shared with families spanning generations.
A Surprisingly Polarising Tea
Rooibos, we’ve noted, divides people into two camps – the vehement dislikers, and the affably delighted. We sit on the affably delighted side – it seems quite a strange and strong reaction to what seems a very inoffensive flavour. However, the consistent feedback over the years of those opposed, suggests the mouthfeel of the tea is more of an issue than the flavour. We often hear claims that Rooibos has a drying, astringent quality. As with all teas, a low quality leaf has the ability to besmirch what should be a good reputation. But some people still attest a strong dislike, even to high-grade rooibos. Given how quality rooibos is occasionally received by some (with alarm and disdain), our completely unfounded theory is that perhaps there might be some lurking gene responsible for this aversion, as with coriander. Ultimately, taste is personal – and everyone is in the right when it comes to their own experience.
There is no true way to anticipate who will, or won’t like rooibos – let alone why. So, when first exploring Rooibos – seek out a high quality leaf. From there you can ascertain whether it might be your new favourite discovery.
Rooibos is one of the earliest teas which opened our eyes to the botanical diversity within the world of tea. This smooth, sweetly woody brew – whether it’s plain or lavishly decorated with florals and fruits – has become a dependable friend and a stalwart of our range.
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