Rooibos Information

Rooibos is loaded with healthy vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants, so it is very good for your body. It is safe for children and adults a like. If you find yourself suffering from a cold or headache, try a cup of Rooibos, it will help you feel better.

Health Benefits
Preparation
How it is Made

Health Benefits

• Contains anti-oxidants (polyphenols), which help remove free radicals from your body. Polyphenols have anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-oxidants are reputed for 'anti-aging' properties.
• A natural laxative helping to relieve constipation. It also relieves stomach aches & pains, ulcers, nausea and heartburn.
• Eliminates insomnia and disturbed sleeping Eases headaches and tension. Reduces stress.
• Good for your teeth and bones (contains calcium, manganese and fluoride)
• Contains zinc and alpha hydroxyl acid, which helps maintain smooth and healthy skin. It may be applied directly to skin irritations such as eczema, acne and diaper rash
• Is good for your nervous system (contains magnesium). Increases iron absorption.
• Eases nervous tension and mild depression. It has relaxing sedative properties.
• May be enjoyed by those with kidney stones (contains no oxalic acid)
• Helps control your appetite, so it may be used in weight loss programs.
• It is good for your metabolism (contains copper and potassium).
• It's high mineral content makes rooibos a great sport drink, to help restore your body's equilibrium after exercising.
• Contains Quercetin which is a bioflavanoid that improves capillary strength. This aids in circulation, prevents haemorrhaging, and protects against infections.
• It is even reputed to help you get over a hangover!

Preparation

Use 1 1/2 teaspoons for a 2 cup pot, or 3 teaspoons for a 6 cup. This tea may be steeped twice without a significant loss of flavour.

How it is made

Rooibos is manufactured from 'Aspalathus Linearis' plant. It grows between 3 and 5 feet tall. The plants may be harvested after one and a half years (with a 6 year lifespan). Growing altitudes are between 500 and 2000 feet.

The plants are harvested in the summer and early autumn before rain season. The thin branches are cut by hand and sent to production lines, where they are cut into 5mm long pieces. The tea is then soaked, bruised and placed in fermentation heaps. During this time it 'sweats' for 8 to 24 hours and is then sun-dried. Once ready, the tea is sifted and delivered to the Rooibos Tea Board at Clanwilliam, where quality control and testing is performed. There are three grades of Rooibos Tea - Super, Choice and Standard. After grading is completed, the tea is further sifted to remove dust and particles and then stored.

Rooibos is cultivated only in South Africa in the Cederberg area which is approximately 250km north of Cape Town. In the early 1900's, the people living in this area that discovered what a splendid hot drink could be made from this plant. The first person to start marketing this tea was a man named Benjamin Ginsberg. Since then, over 3 million kilograms of Rooibos is now exported yearly to 135 countries all over the world!