Rooibos, or red bush, is a caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa. It brews a naturally sweet, nutty, red cup that never turns bitter.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Herbal (red bush) |
| Caffeine | None |
| Water temp | 208 to 212F |
| Steep time | 5 to 7 min or longer |
| Flavor | Sweet, nutty, earthy |
| Origin | South Africa |
A forgiving herbal
Rooibos comes from the Aspalathus linearis plant and is rich in antioxidants. Red rooibos is oxidized; green rooibos is not, and tastes lighter and grassier. Either way it is a popular caffeine-free choice for any time of day.
You cannot oversteep it. Unlike true tea, rooibos has no tannins to turn it bitter, so a long steep only makes it stronger. It is ideal for the evening.
See the Herbal Tea Guide and the Tea Steeping Time Chart.