Rooibos tea - the wealth of South Africa

Roybos is a shrubby plant (Aspalathus linearis) that grows on the western mountain slopes of South Africa. Traditionally, the locals would climb high into the mountains to cut off its fine needle-like leaves, which are used to make rooibos tea. Collected carefully in sacks, they carried the load on their backs or with the help of donkeys. The bags of leaves and stems were poured evenly onto flat stones, where they were forced down with stakes and sticks to aid the oxidation process.

Modern processing of rooibos proceeds differently. Seeds are planted in winter (which in South Africa is the period between January and March). They take several months to germinate and more than a year to harvest. After the leaves are chopped and precisely processed, they are left to dry naturally - in the sun. Processing the leaves can be done in two ways:

•  through a fermentation process, resulting in the characteristic rooibos dark blackish-brown colour. Therefore, the tea prepared from this rooibos is better known as "red tea" or "red bush tea". It is the widespread, distinctive rooibos whose flavour profile is characterised by sweetness and fruity overtones.
• without fermentation, resulting in rooibos acquires a green colour, fresh, slightly 'grassy' taste and malty aftertaste. It is not as popular as red rooibos tea and is found relatively less frequently on the market.

Rooibos contains no caffeine, which makes it one of the preferred drinks, and its content of valuable trace elements such as iron and copper makes it a suitable bedtime drink. A number of scientific studies have been carried out to prove the potential medicinal properties of rooibos teaincluding:

• Immune system support - paradoxically of his above qualities, rooibos teadue to its rich mineral content, it is also recommended for people with busy daily lives such as athletes and businessmen. Its refreshing effect ranks it among the refreshing and thirst-quenching drinks. Its regular intake helps to strengthen the body and its active recovery after strenuous exercise.
• Low in tannins - barely 4.4%. This makes it an excellent choice for those who prefer a milder tasting tea, and for people who have digestive problems or migraine attacks.
• Antioxidant properties of rooibos take care to slow down the aging process and strengthen the immune system. Regular drinking of rooibos has a beneficial effect on blood pressure, cholesterol, helps the cardiovascular system and people with cancer and diabetes.
• Suitable for diets - As a natural drink promoting healthy digestion, rooibos can regulate intestinal peristalsis and create a sense of comfort in the digestive process. Regular but controlled intake of tea has beneficial effects during dieting and detoxification of the body.
• Antidepressant – rooibos tea has a calming effect on the central nervous system. It is a valuable helper in the fight against depression, insomnia and headaches.
• Anti-inflammatory action - rooibos helps treat eczema, asthma, allergies and bronchitis. There are a number of studies that attest to the herb's beneficial effects in colic and allergies in newborns.

Since 2005 rooibos has become a trendy drink worldwide since a coffee company created a variant of the drink that gained popularity as the "red cappuccino" - an alternative to coffee, but without caffeine. The drink is made in a professional coffee machine but is actually a strong, rich-tasting tea. At home rooibos tea well combined and mixed with milk.

Regardless of preference on how to drink, rooibos tea remains an indispensable choice for people of any age, as well as for those who are sensitive to caffeine.