Rooibos Tea
(roy-boss)

Rooibos comes from a small, shrub-like plant that grows only in South Africa.  It is known as "Red Bush" to the natives there.  Believed by indigenous peoples to have great healing powers, it began to be cultivated in 1930.  Today it is a popular and highly regarded drink throughout South Africa, many calling it the "miracle tea."  No alternative source of this unique product is available anywhere in the world.

Once the plant is harvested, its stems and needles are finely chopped, bruised and left to ferment in heaps.  It is then left to dry in the African sun, where it changes from a vivid green to a deep mahogany red, the unique color for which Rooibos tea is known.

Although Rooibos was first reported in 1772 by botanist Carl Thunberg, the people of the area had been using it for ages and were aware of its medicinal values.  Rooibos has become more popular in Western countries, particularly among health-conscious consumers, who appreciate it for its high level of antioxidants and other health benefits.  Some unconfirmed studies have determined that antioxidant levels in Rooibos are 50 times higher than those in Green Tea.

Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos contains abundant vitamins and minerals, including C and E, as well iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, copper, fluoride, manganese and magnesium.

Ailments Rooibos is known to treat:
·  insomnia · irritability · headaches · hypertension · hay fever · asthma · allergies 
· digestive problems · acne · eczema

Rooibos is used to treat colic in infants.  It is an excellent beverage for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children.  Most kids will drink Rooibos without added sugar or sweeteners.

Recently in South Africa several coffee shops began selling red espresso, which is concentrated Rooibos served and presented in the style of ordinary espresso. This has given rise to Rooibos-related variations of coffee drinks, like red lattes and red cappuccinos.

The Japanese chose to give it another name based on its anti-aging properties: Long Life Tea. Japan has done extensive research on its healing properties, and imports, researches and consumes over 310 tons of the tea annually.

Rooibos is sold in almost every health food store in the United Kingdom.

The flavor of Rooibos tea is pleasantly sweet and slightly nutty.  Preparation of Rooibos tea is essentially the same as black tea except that the flavor is improved by longer brewing.  The liquor is deep red in color.