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Concept
Rooibos
Summary
Rooibos (ˈrɔɪbɒs ; rɔːibɔs, meaning "red bush"), or Aspalathus linearis, is a broom-like member of the plant family Fabaceae that grows in South Africa's fynbos biome.
The leaves are used to make a herbal tea that is called rooibos (especially in Southern Africa), bush tea, red tea, or redbush tea (predominantly in Great Britain).
The tea has been popular in Southern Africa for generations, and since the 2000s has gained popularity internationally.
The tea has an earthy flavour that is similar to yerba mate or tobacco.
Rooibos was formerly classified as Psoralea but is now thought to be part of Aspalathus following Dahlgren (1980).
The specific name of linearis was given by Burman (1759)
for the plant's linear growing structure and needle-like leaves.
Rooibos is usually grown in the Cederberg, a small mountainous area in the West Coast District of the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Generally, the leaves undergo oxidation. This process produces the distinctive reddish-brown colour of rooibos and enhances the flavour. Unoxidised green rooibos is also produced, but the more demanding production process for green rooibos (similar to the method by which green tea is produced) makes it more expensive than traditional rooibos. It carries a malty and slightly grassy flavour somewhat different from its red counterpart.
Rooibos is commonly prepared as a tisane by steeping in hot water, in the same manner as black tea. The infusion is consumed on its own or flavored by addition of milk, lemon, sugar or honey. It is also served as lattes, cappuccinos or iced tea.
As a fresh leaf, rooibos contains a high content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
Rooibos tea does not contain caffeine and has low tannin levels compared to black tea or green tea. Rooibos contains polyphenols, including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, dihydrochalcones, aspalathin and nothofagin.
The processed leaves and stems contain benzoic and cinnamic acids.
Food grading
Rooibos grades are largely related to the percentage needle or leaf to stem content in the mix.
Official source
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