What is rooibos tea?
Rooibos tea, also called Red Tea, is a herb, Aspalathus Linearis, with needle-like leaves grown in the Cederberg region of South Africa. Traditional rooibos is cut, moistened, rolled, and allowed to oxidize. Loose-leaf rooibos tea is also available in a green, unoxidized variety. Rooibos lacks caffeine and is rich in antioxidants. It has been consumed in South Africa for ages and now is getting popularity all over the world. Treat yourself with classic flavors like vanilla rooibos and rooibos Masala Chai tea, or try it with honey and lemon or milk and sugar.
Health benefits of rooibos tea
Rooibos tea has been the center of attention lately, considering being associated with a whole range of health benefits. These benefits mainly stem from the caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich composition of rooibos but are yet to be supported by conclusive scientific evidence. The most established and undeniable health benefit of loose leaf rooibos tea is its absence of caffeine. This makes it a great alternative to black or green tea, especially for habitual tea and coffee drinkers looking to cut down on excessive caffeine.
What does Rooibos taste like? 
Traditional rooibos produces a distinctive brownish-red infusion. Its aroma is earthy and slightly sweet. Rooibos is low in tannins and therefore has a mild taste with no bitterness at all. Its flavor is often described as “honey-like and light” and “pronounced and rich, but not overpowering.” Rooibos makes for a cup that is “both full-bodied and delicate” and “can also hold its own, without sugar/stevia.” Green rooibos has a grassier flavor to it.
Tea tips
Rooibos tea, with its soothing honeyed aroma, makes a great base for some delectable flavored infusions. This type of tea pairs perfectly with warming spices as well as with fruity and herbal accents. Best flavored blends are crafted with only natural, often organic, botanical ingredients and natural flavorings. Here are the most popular and well-loved rooibos flavored varieties:
- Fruity rooibos flavors are mouthwatering and kid-friendly. These rooibos blends are crafted with summer berries, mango, and apple pieces often accented with marigold flowers, vanilla, citrus grind.
- Brisk and uplifting citrusy rooibos combines lemon, tangerine, and orange peel with rose hips and lemongrass.
- Rooibos Masala Chai is a classic, much-loved flavor. Every tea brand has its own twist on it, but the key ingredients remain the same: cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and fennel.
- Chocolate rooibos is nicely sweet without any sugar. Delicious chocolate blends are made with cacao nibs, vanilla, and almond inclusions. Accents of mint rose petals, and orange peel add more depth to the flavor. Enjoy this guilt-free indulgence. Great for kids and adults alike.
- Mint rooibos blends are calming and soothing. A comforting mix of rooibos, licorice root, peppermint, and Tulsi makes a great cold-weather tea. Good for sore throat relief and a good night’s sleep.
- Green rooibos tea is an unfermented version of Rooibos. This is a slightly pricier variant since additional processing is required to prevent oxidation. It is lighter and grassier than traditional rooibos and always welcomes fruity and herbal notes.
You can definitely make your own flavored rooibos blend by adding herbs and fruits to loose leaf tea.
Does rooibos tea make you sleepy?
Rooibos is a caffeine-free tea, and as such, will not keep you up at night. But the absence of caffeine is not the only reason why it’s popular as a nighttime tea. Rooibos contains two important minerals: magnesium and calcium. Both of these are key to enjoying a good night’s sleep. Studies have shown a correlation between magnesium deficiency and chronic insomnia, while calcium is required to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone. As such, substituting caffeinated teas with rooibos can have a calming effect and improve your sleep quality over time.
Top 8 Rooibos teas to buy online 
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Foxtrot Like the dance that inspired its name, our Foxtrot tea is an overnight success that will leave you giddy with joy. It is an herbal cocktail of Egyptian chamomile, South African rooibos (with a touch of vanilla) and fresh peppermint. A soothing blend of familiar tastes that produces a pleasantly original combination. It's entirely caffeine-free, but you'll still have a spring in your step from the delightful, delicately clean and sweet flavor. |
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Vanilla Berry Truffle Tea Creamy, smooth, sweet. This vanilla rooibos tea is a delectable infusion of enticingly sweet and tangy flavors harmoniously complimented by the soothing smoothness of fresh cream. Our Vanilla Berry Truffle tea is an enjoyable dessert blend at any time of day. This product contains the following allergenic ingredient(s: chocolate, egg, milk, soy lecithin |
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Rooibos Chai Tea Buttery, fresh, lilac. A stunning caffeine free alternative to the classic Indian inspired chai tea. Sip this full and savory blend any time of day to spice up your tea routine. |
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Rooibos Red Tea A sweet tea of African origin. Widely popular in other parts of the world, rooibos tea is recently gaining fame in Western countries as well. It is known for its astringent qualities as well as its high antioxidant content. |
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Rooibos Tea Rooibos Tea is sometimes known as the red tea or redbush tea. The leaves undergo an oxidation process, and this process produces the distinctive reddish-brown color of rooibos, and enhances the flavor. It has a natural sweetness, with an earthy and rich flavor. Rooibos Tea is commonly prepared in the same manner as black tea, and milk and sugar (or stevia) can be added to taste. Other methods include a slice of lemon and using honey instead of sugar to sweeten. It tastes great both hot and as an iced tea. Caffeine-Free. |
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Rooibos Chai Tea Organic This unique chai blend combines Organic Rooibos Tea with the traditional zesty chai tea ingredients like cinnamon and cardamom along with stevia, creating a sweet and refreshing beverage. It tastes great whether served hot or cold! Caffeine-Free. |
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Isabelle is a freelance writer, self-taught tea nerd, and tea blending enthusiast. She is a herbalist with a strong interest in Ayurveda. Each year Isabelle travels extensively, returning with tea samples from around the world. She is a big fan of handmade teaware and Japanese green teas.