What is rooibos?
Did you know? An infusion made from rooibos is recognizable at first glance. How ? Thanks to its fine cut needles. Indeed, rooibos (“red bush” in Afrikaans) is a shrub from the acacia family, whose tiny leaves are similar to pine needles. One to two meters high, this characteristic bush only grows in South Africa, the only country with soil suitable for its cultivation. Rooibos is harvested from January to March, high summer in this hemisphere! Its leaves are then spread out in the open air then sprayed with water, before being dried in the sun. Once infused, it takes on a magnificent magenta color, close to that of hibiscus. In some Western countries, it is also called “red tea”. Wrongly! Because it is not a tea but an herbal tea. Rooibos is certainly a red tea, but it is devoid of theine and also low in tannins. In this regard, how is red rooibos consumed?
How to drink red rooibos?
Rooibos infusion is as delicious hot as cold. Some will prefer to opt for rooibos herbal tea nature, to be embellished with citrus zest or cinnamon, while others will adopt fruity or spicy mixtures to vary the pleasures. In South Africa, where it is the flagship infusion, rooibos is often enjoyed accompanied by a splash of milk and a little sugar. It is possible to let it infuse as you wish and according to your tastes, for up to ten minutes. For what ? Because the absence of tannins guarantees a non-astringent flavor. He won't be bitter either. Rooibos is also used in dishes such as pancakes, financiers or even semolina cakes.
For a touch of originality, know that organic rooibos can also be used in cooking. Our organic rooibos with almond is eaten as ice cream. Discover the recipe for Rooibos Almond & Honey Ice Cream signed Meg and Cook.
Why choose rooibos: what are the virtues of rooibos?
The benefits of organic rooibos are well known. Rooibos infusion can be enjoyed at any time of the day by the whole family, young and old loving its sweet, nutty taste. Gourmet, it is perfect for finishing a meal with a sweet touch: for example, try our organic rooibos with almond or our infusion of organic rooibos with vanilla. Enjoying the benefits of rooibos is done with pleasure and indulgence at Kusmi.
In the evening, enjoying an organic rooibos would promote a good night's sleep and be good for falling asleep. This is why you can find organic rooibos in our organic infusions Lovely Night or even Feel Zen.
Finally, organic rooibos contains good antioxidants which help fight against cellular aging. So many benefits that make us want to serve ourselves a cup of rooibos infusion every day.
How to choose rooibos?
Proper preparation of rooibos requires first of all choosing a quality ingredient. This is the basis of the recipe.
OPT FOR AN ORGANIC MATCHA TEA
To make the most of the health benefits, Kusmi recommends that you choose organic matcha tea. Ceremonial if possible. Indeed, matcha teas are classified according to “grades”, Cérémonie being the highest quality. The higher the grade, the better quality the leaves that make up your matcha. An organic label will confirm the absence of pesticides in your drink. When it comes to color, bright green is a symbol of quality! We therefore opt for a beautiful electric green.
WHAT IS A QUALITY ROOIBOS?
The characteristics of the leaves of the African bush depend on many criteria: soil quality, weather, hygrometry, method of harvesting, conservation system, etc. The taste and intensity of a rooibos infusion therefore result from various parameters. It is said that you can recognize a good rooibos by its taste of honey, woody flavor, spices and caramel. Nutty or chestnut flavor is another good indicator. Finally, exceptional red tea has no or very little astringent effect. Everyone's tastes vary, of course, and you have to taste them to get your own idea. The liqueur of the African drink can also be enjoyed. A quality red rooibos will generally reveal a deep orange when infused. Do you want to discover good red teas for yourself? So, explore without further delay the tasty organic rooibos blends from Kusmi. At Kusmi, all our rooibos are organic and flavored with aromas of natural origin.
You now have all the good reasons to taste “red tea” and succumb to its delights.