African Red Tea: Everyone’s Drink

A women checks a hand-made teapot at a market. Redbush tea's reputation as a healthy alternative to regular tea is fast spreading amongst tea lovers worldwide. (Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)

 

Rooibos or Redbush tea is Africa’s equivalent to the common tea, Camiellia sinensis.

In the Cedarburg region of South Africa, a common hardy bush has been used to make a distinctive, red coloured tea for centuries, perhaps longer. And it’s reputation as a healthy alternative to regular tea is fast spreading amongst tea lovers worldwide.

It was savoured by Dutch settlers, who while living in the cape, found the deliveries of their staple tea by ship to be both sporadic and expensive. It wasn’t long before rooibos won their approval and became the obvious choice in available tea.

To the health conscious, rooibos is appealing because it contains no caffeine and is a rich source of antioxidants. It is also noted for its calming effects on the body and mind, relaxing the muscles and releasing tension; a perfect night cap.

The minerals present in rooibos tea also play a supporting role in general health and defense against disease. Fluoride present in the tea protects tooth enamel from decay and zinc is an essential mineral in wound healing. Iron, magnesium and potassium are also in the mix, though differing amounts may occur according to the oxidation and fermentation process the leaves may have been subjected to.

For generations, rooibos tea has been recognized by the South Africans for its therapeutic qualities. The tea is used as a colic remedy for babies as it contains an antispasmodic agent that acts to relax tight and sore muscles in the tummy, due to wind. It may also sooth away indigestion, menstrual cramps and heart burn in adults.

As beauty elixir, rooibos tea will not work miracles, yet it does contain an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which is sometimes added to beauty lotions to preserve a youthful complexion. This enzyme works by protecting the skin from free radicals, which age and damage our skin. High levels of this enzyme are necessary for the production and repair of healthy skin cells and consequently fewer wrinkles.

It’s not just aging skin that can benefit from rooibos tea. Studies have shown that acne and eczema effected skin may also improve by drinking rooibos tea, and from the direct application of a tea poultice on the inflamed area. The antibacterial action of the tea works to alleviate the infection in the skin. When used directly on the skin, the tea is reported to relieve the redness, itching and inflammation associated with eczema.

Red and green rooibos are the two varieties of rooibos available on the market shelf. The difference is in the fermentation process, which is similar to regular tea. The red variety is exposed to oxidation, producing a richer, red or amber coloured pigment in the water. The taste is rich and fruity, but with no tannin. The green variety is un-oxidised and the outcome is a lighter, grassy tasting brew; very different to it’s red counterpart.

Traditionally, rooibos is drank without milk, and sometimes served with a slice of lemon. It is also very nice with milk and sweetened with honey. With it’s new found popularity, people have found new and exciting ways of drinking it, such as espresso rooibos- if you like it strong. The redbush craze has also given rise to rooibos coffee variations in the form of red lattes, red cappuccinos and red iced tea.