Redbush & Rooibos Tea

A naturally earthy and rich tea known for its beautiful red colour, Rooibos or Redbush tea is a South African tea that is full of flavour. Naturally caffeine-free, it makes a great alternative to black tea and can be enjoyed anytime or night. 

Pronounced ‘roy-boos’ and also known as redbush tea, Rooibos is a herbal tea that comes from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. This plant is native to South Africa, and unlike tea that comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free. It is known for its deep red, slightly rust-looking colour, hence the name redbush tea. 

More specifically, rooibos tea comes from the Western Cape province of South Africa and is a broom-like plant with roots up to 3m long. Due to the specific climate in this region, which ranges from sub-zero to over 40 degrees in the summer, it has all the right ingredients to create a truly delicious tea. 

The process of making rooibos tea is not too dissimilar from that of black tea. It involves picking the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant and harvesting the leaves. They are then processed through fermentation. When the leaves are harvested, they are green, but it's the fermentation and oxidation process that turns the leaves from green to the beautiful red/brown colour that is commonly associated with rooibos tea. 

The oxidised leaves are then left to dry out in the sun, and the way the leaves are processed will have an impact on the flavour. Once processed, the rooibos tea leaves are then graded and sorted to be used in different types of redbush tea. 

There are several types of rooibos teas to choose from, from the traditional redbush to loose rooibos tea infusions and blends. 

We celebrate variety at Twinings and offer many types of redbush tea to suit different drinkers and moments. Take your pick from a wide selection of rooibos loose leaf and teabags. 

Redbush tea: Full of anti-oxidants and naturally caffeine-free, a tea for any time of the day or night. 

Rooibos Flavoured with Orange and Cinnamon - Loose Infusion: Rich rooibos tea with sweet orange flavours and hints of warming spice. 

Twinings Discovery Collection Rooibos and Caramel: Rich rooibos with a hint of sweet caramel flavour. In pyramid tea bags. 

Rooibos and Honey: A rich rooibos blend with sweet honey and warming spiced fig flavours. 

Rooibos Strawberry & Vanilla: Sweet strawberries and vanilla with the refreshing taste of rooibos. 

This delicious tea has a nutty and full-bodied flavour to it that doesn’t taste too dissimilar from black tea. It also has notes of vanilla, and because it is naturally caffeine-free, it makes a great alternative to your daily cup of black tea or even coffee. Rooibos tea can be served with milk and a little bit of honey for a delightful and warm cup of tea. 

Enjoying a cup of rooibos tea is a delightful experience. Here's how to savour it:

1. Choose Your Rooibos: Select loose leaf rooibos or rooibos tea bags. Opt for plain rooibos or explore flavoured variations like vanilla, cinnamon or fruit-infused blends.

2. Boil Water: Heat fresh, filtered water to a rolling boil. 

3. Prepare the Tea: Place a teaspoon of rooibos leaves per cup using loose leaf tea into a teapot or infuser. For tea bags, simply place one bag in your cup.

4. Infuse: Pour the hot water over the tea leaves or bag. Allow it to steep for up to 3 minutes to extract the flavours thoroughly. Adjust steeping time based on personal preference for strength.

5. Serve: Remove the infuser or tea bag. Rooibos tea is delicious on its own but can be sweetened with honey or a dash of milk, depending on taste.

6. Experiment: Rooibos tea is versatile. Try it hot or iced. Experiment with additions like lemon slices, mint leaves, or spices for a unique twist.

7. Sip and Enjoy: Rooibos tea offers a smooth, slightly sweet taste with earthy undertones. Take a moment to savour its unique taste. 

Whether enjoyed in the morning or as a calming evening beverage, rooibos tea is a caffeine-free option that can be personalised to suit individual preferences, making it a versatile and soothing choice for tea lovers.

With over 300 years of tea blending behind us, you can count on Twinings rooibos tea for the perfect cup every time. 

Exceptional quality: Our Master Blenders rate hundreds of samples worldwide every week to ensure we only buy the best. We don't own any tea gardens either, so we're free to partner with the best producers around. 

Broad selection: We've innovated since day one to introduce people to new tastes and experiences. From our diverse traditional redbush tea to our unique blends of rooibos loose leaf, there's a perfect blend for every home brewer. 

Preferred by tea drinkers: We're the number one choice for out-of-home tea, with people considering our rooibos tea to be higher quality and better tasting than others.  

Committed to care: All our teas are sourced with care; from looking after the environment they grow into treating suppliers and pickers fairly. Learn more about our commitment to communities. 

Shop our Rooibos tea today and experience more. Got a question? Check our FAQs or contact us.