Exploring Rooibos | Teas of the Week
Carly Pearl-Sacks
Organic Red Rooibos, Green Rooibos, and Honeybush
Hey tea lovers! Welcome back to Tea of the Week. This week, we are featuring 3 similar herbal teas from South Africa that are packed with antioxidants! Let's take a look at Organic Red Rooibos, Organic Green Rooibos, and Organic Honeybush!
The Benefits and History
Organic Red Rooibos
Red rooibos, also known as African red bush tea, originates from the Western Cape province of South Africa. Indigenous to the region, it has been enjoyed for centuries by the Khoisan people for its refreshing taste and health benefits.
The tea is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, which is naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants. Rooibos is known for its unique flavor profile, which is sweet, nutty, and slightly earthy, making it a delightful alternative to traditional caffeinated teas.
In addition to its delicious taste, rooibos tea is known to have various health benefits, including supporting digestion, promoting heart health, and boosting the immune system.
Organic Green Rooibos
Green rooibos, derived from the Aspalathus linearis plant native to South Africa, is an unoxidized variation of rooibos tea. This minimal processing helps retain its natural green color and delicate flavor, which is often described as grassy and slightly sweet.
Green rooibos is caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, which have been linked to various health benefits. These antioxidants are believed to help protect the body's cells from damage by free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Green rooibos is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Organic Honeybush
Honeybush is an herbal tea that originates from South Africa, primarily the Eastern and Western Cape regions. It is derived from the Cyclopia plant and undergoes minimal processing, which helps preserve its natural flavors and health benefits.
Honeybush has a sweet, honey-like taste and a rich aroma, making it a delightful and soothing beverage. It is naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, making it gentle on the stomach and suitable for those with caffeine sensitivity.
Rich in antioxidants, including phenolic compounds and flavones, honeybush can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Additionally, honeybush is rich in minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, and magnesium, which are essential for overall health and well-being.
What's the Difference?
Red rooibos, green rooibos, and honeybush are all herbal teas native to South Africa, each with its own unique characteristics.
Red rooibos is the most common variety and undergoes a fermentation process that gives it a reddish-brown color and a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. It is rich in antioxidants and is known for its potential health benefits, including supporting digestion and boosting the immune system.
Green rooibos, on the other hand, is unfermented and retains its natural green color and a more delicate, grassy flavor. It also contains antioxidants and is caffeine-free, making it a refreshing and healthful choice.
Honeybush, derived from the Cyclopia plant, has a sweet, honey-like taste and is naturally caffeine-free. This tea comes from a different plant than green and red rooibos but is often grouped with them because of its appearance, flavor, and origin.
It contains a variety of antioxidants and minerals, including phenolic compounds and flavones, as well as iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, and magnesium.
In summary, while all three teas are caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, they differ in flavor profile and processing method, offering a variety of options for tea enthusiasts seeking unique and healthful beverages.
Highlighted 5 Star Reviews
Organic Rooibos
"My family has been drinking Rooibos teas for many years. By far, this Rooibos is the best. It's smooth and tasty. We all love it. I am purchasing a larger amount on subscription so that we never run out." - Kelly M.
"I am unable to drink caffeinated teas and don't like most herbal teas, I was delighted to discover Rooibos. I have tried Rooibos from other sources but Full Leaf Tea Co. is the best one I've tried. It's perfect; the goldilocks of Rooibos tea." - K.C.
"This tea tastes very good and keeps my blood pressure in check." - Patricia G.
Organic Green Rooibos
"I love the green version of Rooibos tea. It has green tea flavor w/o the bitterness I often experience. I add nothing and I love it. A relaxing health break." - Vicki H.
"I love Rooibos tea and have tried different version from other merchants but find the Organic Green Rooibos from Full Leaf to be the smoothest best tasting. You have a lifetime customer." - Sherri
"Great quality tea for a great price, hard to find pure teas like this!" - E.A.
Organic Honeybush
"This tea is so wonderful! It has a rich aroma and a gentle sweet taste as well. Highly recommend!" - Mazarine H.
"This tea was amazing. The flavor was delicate, floral, and slightly sweet---the perfect cup of honeybush. I have never had honeybush of such high quality." - Jennifer H.
"I very much enjoy this tea. Perfect for that spring summer feeling of light and airy. Has a mild fresh flavor with a hint of sweet to it . I will definitely get it again." - Naomi W.
Three Teas, Three Recipes
Peachberry Sunset
10 minutes
1
Iced Tea
Herbal Honey-Berry Iced Tea
10 minutes
1
Iced Tea
Green Rooibos Spring Bliss
15 minutes
1
Iced Tea
Watch a video about South African Herbs
See you next time!
Thank you for joining us once again for another exciting edition of Tea of the Week! This week, we took a closer look at three South African herbs, Organic Red Rooibos, Organic Green Rooibos, and Organic Honeybush. Each of these teas offers a unique flavor profile and a wealth of health benefits, making them delightful additions to any tea lover's collection.
Organic Red Rooibos, with its rich, reddish-brown color and slightly sweet, nutty flavor, is a classic choice known for its abundance of antioxidants.
Organic Green Rooibos, on the other hand, boasts a fresh, grassy taste and a vibrant green hue, offering a lighter alternative that's equally packed with antioxidants.
Lastly, Organic Honeybush charms with its sweet, honey-like flavor and a host of antioxidants and minerals, making it a soothing and nourishing brew.
We hope you've enjoyed learning about the differences and similarities between these three antioxidant-packed teas. Join us next week for another featured tea, as we continue to explore the world of tea and its endless possibilities.
In the meantime, keep exploring new flavors and happy steeping!
