HealthDiscover rooibos tea: the caffeine-free African delight offering unique flavors and health benefits

Discover rooibos tea: the caffeine-free African delight offering unique flavors and health benefits

This tea is one of the healthiest.
This tea is one of the healthiest.
Images source: © Getty Images | RaulGapa

7:41 AM EST, January 13, 2024

The unique taste of rooibos tea

Rooibos tea originates not from the well-known Asian tea bush, but from the African red bush, mainly found in South Africa. The dried leaves are naturally devoid of caffeine and possess an earthy, nutty-honey taste.

Connoisseurs of this tea strongly advise against sweetening it with sugar or honey. However, for those willing to experiment, they suggest adding a bit of room-temperature milk to the cup after brewing.

A cup filled with health

Rooibos tea is held in high regard not just for its distinct flavor but also for its numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of rooibos tea supplies the body with flavonoids, including aspalathin and nothofagin, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and sodium.

Drinking this tea contributes positively to lowering blood pressure, reducing nervous tension, relaxing the mind, balancing blood sugar levels, liver regeneration, expectoration aid, and weight loss (by increasing leptin levels, curbing the formation of new fat cells, and promoting a faster metabolism).

Brewing rooibos tea: how-to?

Brewing rooibos tea is a straightforward process. For every 6.76 fl oz of hot water, you need to add 1.5 teaspoons of dried leaves. You can allow the tea to brew for 3 to 5 minutes; brewing it for a longer duration will not give it a bitter taste, it will just make the tea stronger.

For those who prefer cold beverages, an iced version of rooibos tea might be more suitable. To prepare it, alter the proportions slightly (add two teaspoons of dried leaves for every 6.76 fl oz of water), and add a few ice cubes.