Rooibos

Rooibos is a shrub, *Aspalathus linearis*, native to South Africa that is used to make a caffeine-free herbal infusion.

Rooibos is a shrub, *Aspalathus linearis*, native to South Africa that is used to make a caffeine-free herbal infusion. The beverage is also called redbush tea or red tea and is widely consumed in South Africa and internationally. It is known for its reddish-brown colour, earthy-sweet flavour, and low tannin content.

Etymology

The name rooibos comes from Afrikaans and means “red bush.” The term refers to the colour associated with the fermented leaves used to make the drink.

Botany and cultivation

Rooibos is a shrub in the legume family, *Fabaceae*, and is native to South Africa. It is associated with the Cederberg and surrounding areas of the Western Cape.

Beverage preparation

The leaves and fine stems are harvested and processed into an herbal infusion. Fermented rooibos produces the familiar red tea, while unfermented green rooibos remains lighter in colour and is generally less oxidised.

Use and popularity

Rooibos has long been consumed in southern Africa and later became popular internationally as a caffeine-free alternative to black or green tea. It is commonly sold as a loose-leaf or bagged beverage.