Rooibos for Health

Rooibos what? Yeah, my first thought too. I had no idea what this tea was. So, I thought I'd talk a little bit about rooibos, also known as the South African red tea.

Everyone here at Sterling Tea knows that I LOVE me some rooibos. I feel like my day isn't complete without at least one cup of orange swirl or any of our delicious flavors. It never fails to surprise me how many of our customers don't know anything about this great little tea.

Rooibos (pronounced "ROY-Bos") quite literally means 'red bush' which is what this tea is actually made from and located in South Africa. Rooibos does not contain the more familiar Camellia sinensis plant of which all forms of tea are made. Some say it is considered an herbal tea which I guess it is! It has been popular for generations in South Africa and has slowly made its way around the world.

I love rooibos because it is caffeine-free and very low in tannins. Not to mention the antioxidants and health benefits are pretty impressive. It's gentle enough they even give it to colicky babies (wish I'd know about rooibos when I had my babies). To me, rooibos has a refreshing, slightly nutty flavor, unlike any other herbal tea. I like the rooibos with just a slight flavor. Our Orange Swirl and Lemon Velvet are two I enjoy tremendously but we have a nice variety and they are all organic. You brew it just the same as black tea, and can even add sugar and milk. I like a nice 6 minute steep and a little sweetener. Mmmmm, YUM!

I've read a lot of articles on Rooibos and the health benefits of this red tea are abundant. I won't go into details as you can google for yourself, but the claims are many and include:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Bone Health

Cardiovascular Health

Infant Health

Diabetes

Good for Skin

Kidney Stones

Antispasmodic properties

Allergies

Premature aging

and more...Google it and read up. You'll be surprised.

So, next time you are in the mood for something a little different, try the Rooibos. My all-time favorite is Orange Swirl. I drink a cup (or two) almost every day. Browse our selection of Rooibos Teas and pick your favorite.

Be Well and Drink More Tea,

Ang