Rooibos tea

Rooibos (pronounced "ROY-boss", Afrikaans for "red bush") is a herbal tea made from Aspalathus linearis, a shrub that grows almost exclusively in the Cederberg region of South Africa's Western Cape. The needle-like leaves are cut, bruised and left to oxidize, which turns them the familiar reddish-brown and develops their sweetness. Green rooibos skips oxidation for a lighter, more herbaceous cup. Honeybush, a close relative from the same part of the world, is brewed in much the same way.

Red rooibos is naturally sweet and smooth, with notes of honey, vanilla, caramel and a gentle woodiness. It has very little tannin, so it does not turn harsh and dry the way over-steeped black tea can. That mellow base makes rooibos a favourite for flavoured blends — vanilla, citrus, berries, chai spices and chocolate all pair well — and it takes milk beautifully, which is why "red lattes" are popular in cafés. Browse our selection above for pure rooibos and flavoured blends.

Rooibos is one of the easiest teas to brew. Use water at a full boil, 100°C, and 2–3 g of leaf per 250 ml. Steep for 5–7 minutes; because there is so little tannin, you can leave it longer — even 10 minutes — for a deeper, sweeter cup without bitterness. The leaves are fine, so a fine-mesh infuser works better than a coarse basket.

For a stovetop red latte, simmer the leaves in water for 5 minutes, add milk, warm through and sweeten with honey. Rooibos also cold brews well overnight.

Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, which makes it a popular choice for evenings, for children, and for anyone cutting back on caffeine. Flavoured blends occasionally include black or green tea, so check the ingredients on each product page.