The Aspalathus plant group, part of the legume family to which Rooibos belongs, consists of more than 200 species which occur only in South Africa. Only the species Aspalathus linearis has any economic value.

The plant is a shrub-like bush with a central, smooth-barked main stem. Near the soil surface the stem subdivides into a number of strong offshoots, followed by delicate side branches each bearing, singly or in clusters, soft, needle-like leaves some ten centimeters in length.

The plant’s height at maturity varies from 1 to 1.5 meters in its natural state, while the height of harvested plants varies from 0.5 to 1.5 meters, depending on the age of the plant, the climate and soil conditions.

ROOIBOS TEA is a herbal tea, has a tasty flavour is totally pure and natural. It contains no caffeine, colorants or preservatives. Rooibos tea doesn't have any negative side effects! It can relieve depression. It can relieve stress. It can even relieve constipation, and a wide variety of other problems ranging from insomnia to colic. It helps you relax at bedtime but also keeps you refreshed during the day.

The Cederberg area

The Rooibos tea plant (Aspalathus linearis)

Rooibos tea plus tea bag

Rooibos Tea, which is sometimes misspelled as Rooibus Tea, is also known as Red Bush Tea or just Red Tea, because the plant leaves turn reddish-brown as the rooibos plant ripens. The Japanese chose to give it another name based on its anti-aging properties, namely Long Life Tea. Japan has done extensive research on its healing properties and consumes every year more than 300 tons of the tea.

Japanese studies have shown that Rooibos tea is comparable to green tea regarding the amounts of polyphenols it contains. It shows anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity. In fact, it contains more antioxidants than many green teas.

THE PRODUCTION OF ROOIBOS TEA

The Rooibos farmer can expect his first harvest after one-and-a-half years. After three years the bushes will be in full production.

Harvest time is during the summer (from January till approx. May). Branches are cut by hand and transported to the certified production lines where they are cut to pieces of about 3-5 mm.

Next, the tea is wet thoroughly and bruised. The tea is then placed in fermentation heaps and allowed to sweat or ferment for 8 to 24 hours. After this the tea is dried in the sun on special yards. The dried teas are then sifted and sterilized (see picture). The tea is then graded into various categories based upon taste, length of the cut and appearance.

One of the most important selections is if the tea is for the export market (best quality) or for the local market and if it is organic or non organic tea.

Rooibos tea is subjected to a very strict micro-biological test before it is sent to our customers.