The 15 Best Rooibos Teas for the Best Caffeine Free Brew

Things to Consider Before Buying Rooibos

Rooibos (pronounced ‘roy-boss’) or red bush is not a true tea as it does not come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, rooibos is harvested in summer and early autumn from a shrub-like plant called Aspalathus linearis which is native to the South African Cedarberg Mountains (north west of Cape Town). Rooibos was known to be drank in the 1700s and was known as a ‘medicinal’ plant as far back as 1932.

Rooibos is naturally caffeine free and as well as drinking it as a black tea, rooibos can be used in many recipes as a substitute for water or milk; it is even fine for using in savory dishes such as casseroles where it not only adds flavor but also tenderizes meat. Dried fruit for baking can be soaked overnight in rooibos so that you do not need to add any sugar when cooking.

Nutritional Content of Rooibos

As well as being caffeine free, rooibos is lower in tannins than black and green teas. This can be beneficial for those with iron disorders as tannins as well as caffeine can stop nutrients such as iron from being absorbed properly.

Rooibos is also free from oxalic acid. Found in black teas and a lower amount in green teas, taking in a higher quantity of oxalic acid can increase your risk of developing kidney stones.

Rooibos does not contain any calories, fat, carbs, protein or fiber. It does however contain 7.6 mg of sodium per 200 ml serving – making it a very low sodium food.

Rooibos Production

In spring, small yellow flowers appear on the bush and each flower produces a legume with one seed inside. As the seed pops out when ripe, farmers usually have to sift through the sand around the plant to collect the seeds.

These seeds are sown in spring and the seedlings planted early summer. The plant will need around 18 months to grown before it can be harvested for the first time. During summer harvest, the plants are cut down to about a foot from the ground. Once a plant has been through three to five harvests, the plantation has to be re-established.

The shoots which are harvested are bound into sheaves and cut to less than 4 mm. Stems and green leaves which are dried as soon as they are harvested are sold as green rooibos which has a grassier flavor and is usually more expensive.

Otherwise, the stems and leaves are ‘bruised’ and are fermented in heaps. The fermentation takes place through enzymes in the plant and this oxidation process causes the leaves to turn red and develop its distinct aroma. Once fermented, the leaves are spread out and allowed to sun dry.

The rooibos can then be graded on its flavor, color, aroma and cut length and once steam pasteurized is sent as bulk leaves to South African exporters and packers.

The Rooibos Market and Marginalization

Over the last couple of decades, production of rooibos has increased drastically as new consumers discover its flavor and many more people seek out caffeine-free alternatives. South Africans consume as much as 5000 tons of rooibos per year and over 6000 tons per year are now exported.

The US currently makes up around 5% of the rooibos market. Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Japan are the other four biggest importers of rooibos.

When choosing rooibos tea, you may want to consider rooibos from plantations which meet social and ethical responsibilities; particularly those which pay fair salaries to rooibos workers. Many smaller rooibos farmers were historically displaced through colonialism and then apartheid. During this time, the South African government also imposed a 40-year monopoly on rooibos. Even today, many small farmers remain marginalized - 98% of the rooibos harvest is produced by just 350 commercial farmers. 

Various organic certifications, Fair Trade and UTZ Certification (part of the Rainforest Alliance) are just some bodies helping improve small-scale farmers access to global markets, as well as helping workers receive fairer wages and access better living standards.

Safety of Rooibos

Rooibos is steam pasteurized before it is packaged, and all exported Rooibos has to pass inspection by the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) of South Africa and be certified free from impurities and bacteria.

In a similar way that grapefruit can interact with some medications, rooibos appears to inhibit a liver enzyme system which is needed to metabolize certain drugs. If you take any medications, do check with your pharmacist that it is safe to drink rooibos.

Some of the compounds in rooibos can mildly stimulate estrogen production, so some experts have suggested that those with breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive conditions may want to avoid drinking rooibos.

Otherwise, rooibos appears to be very safe with any reported negative side effects being extremely rare.

Benefits of Drinking Rooibos

Rooibos is rich in antioxidants and there is some evidence that antioxidant levels in the body can be increased when drinking rooibos, although any observed increase does not last for long.

Tips for a Perfect Cup of Rooibos

The water for rooibos should have a neutral pH and not be over-boiled as this will have depleted the oxygen and will prevent the rooibos from infusing properly.

When brewing with loose rooibos use one heaped teaspoon per cup. Allow the tea (or tea bag) to infuse for two to three minutes before serving. If it is left to steep for longer, its antioxidant benefits increase.

You can then add milk, sugar, sweetener, agave or honey to taste. As rooibos is not as astringent as black tea, it will not need as much sugar or sweetener adding. It can also be reheated without becoming bitter or losing its flavor.

Unlike other teas, rooibos ages well and it can be stored for a long time without any impact on its flavor, taste and quality.

Links Between Rooibos and Health

Unlike other teas such as green and black which have been researched in some detail, evidence of the benefits of rooibos on health is still limited. Like other teas it does contain antioxidants and it seems to be able to improve the availability of iron from the diet in the body.

The antioxidants in rooibos are linked to better blood pressure as it may inhibit ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). ACE indirectly causes blood vessels to contract which increases blood pressure and in a small study of 17 people, rooibos tea was able to inhibit ACE activity for up to 60 minutes after it was drunk. This did not give any actual changes to their blood pressure though.

Rooibos may also improve cholesterol levels in overweight adults with greater heart disease risk. After drinking six cups a day for six weeks, the 40 adults had lower levels of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol and higher levels of HDL (‘good’) cholesterol.

Rooibos is currently the only known natural source of aspalathin. This antioxidant may have anti-diabetic potential as it has been able to improve blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance in mice. Aspalathin may also help diabetics reduce their risk of atherosclerosis and vascular inflammation which contribute to the development of heart conditions.

Luteolin and quercetin, two of the antioxidants in rooibos have been able to kill cancer cells and stop tumor growth in the laboratory. It is worth noting that rooibos is only a small source of these antioxidants – you can obtain more from fruit and vegetables.

FAQ

How many cups of rooibos tea should I drink daily?

It is safe to drink up to six cups of rooibos tea daily. But, it is best if you limit it to 2-3 cups everyday. If you consume a large amount of rooibos tea, it is unlikely to deteriorate your health. 

Can children drink rooibos tea?

Yes, they definitely can. If your child has an upset stomach, you might want to give him/her a cup of rooibos tea. The rooibos tea is known to sooth stomach aches and promote a healthier immune system. 

Can I lose weight by drinking rooibos tea?

You might be able to lose weight by drinking rooibos tea. Rooibos tea is likely to increase your metabolism rate and prevents fat cells from forming. However, you should control your diet and exercise regularly side by side for best results. 

Will a cup of rooibos tea help me sleep better?

Rooibos tea does not usually contain any caffeine which means that you will not be up all night if you have it. Since it is a herbal drink, it will help you relax and ease your mind. You may actually sleep better by drinking a cup of rooibos tea.