Rooibos/Rooibush...The Red Bush Tea

Rooibos (pronounced Roy-bos) is know as The Red Bush Tea. It is a naturally calming, sweet drink that is naturally caffeine free and low in tannins. The plant grows only in Cedar Valley in a small belt near the western Cape of South Africa in the Cedarberg Mountains. The Rooibus shrub grows to six feet and is similar in characteristics to a legume. The stiff, upright red branches support many dark green needle-like leaves. From spring through early summer, the shrub produces many small yellow flowers which in turns produces a single seeded tiny bean. The plant has a long tap root which allows it to survive the heat and drought conditions of South Africa. Grownups and children of that country have used the herbal qualities of this tea for many purposes. The entire story of its discovery starts in South Africa and continues until 2005 when the courts ruled that the trademark on the name could not be enforced.

The leaves are chopped, bruised, and allowed to ferment in large mounds. At one time in its history, it was considered the most expensive vegetable seed. It is brewed like black tea and served with honey, sugar or lemon...no milk. It has a slightly sweet and nutty taste. In modern Africa, Rooibos is often blended with another tea and some local coffee shops are selling it as "Red Expresso"...a concentrated drink.