NATURE’S GREAT GIFT FROM THE CEDERBERG
A unique South African tradition for over 60 years
There is only one place in the world where Rooibos Tea is cultivated -
the Cederberg area, approx. 250km north of Cape Town, in South Africa.
It was the folk living in this area at the turn of the century who discovered
that the fine, needle-like leaves of the bush ‘Aspalatus Linearis’ made
a refreshing hot drink. Quick to realize the marketing potential of this
‘mountain-tea', a Russian immigrant, Benjamin Ginsberg, whose family had
been in the tea industry for generations, started packing and selling this
tea. The popularity and demand for this unique tasting tea grew so much
that in the 1930’s Dr P Le Fras Nortier started cultivating the tea in
plantations. Today Rooibos sells more than 3 million kilograms per year
and is firmly established in the international market. It has proven so
popular that it is exported to 135 countries such as Germany, Israel, America,
Holland, Switzerland, England and even Japan - a country renowned for the
almost sacred art of tea and its health consciousness.
The production of Rooibos Tea
The Rooibos farmer can expect his first harvest after one-and-a-half years.
After three years the bushes will be in full production. Harvest time is
during the summer and early autumn. Branches are cut by hand and transported
to the certified production lines where they are cut to pieces of about
5 mm. Next, the tea is wet thoroughly and bruised. The tea is then placed
in fermentation heaps and allowed to sweat or ferment for 8 to 24 hours.
After this the tea is dried in the sun on special yards. The dried teas
are then sifted and delivered to the Rooibos Tea Board at Clanwilliam.
Samples are tested by the Board for quality control and grading. The tea
is graded into three categories - Super, Choice and Standard. After grading,
the tea is sifted again to clean it of particles and dust. The different
grades are then stored separately. The quality of Rooibos Tea is the most
important aim of the Board. Therefore all Rooibos Tea is evaluated according
to taste, flavour and colour. The tea is also subjected to a very strict
micro-biological test before it is sent to the distributors. The Rooibos
Tea emblem is your guarantee of the tea’s quality.
How to prepare the perfect cup of tea
The secret behind a good cup of Rooibos is simple - boiling water. First
rinse the teapot with boiling water. Then add teabags or loose leaves.
Pour the boiling water into the pot and keep it warm. Ideally a teapot
that doesn’t cool too fast should be used.
1 - Water must be boiling hot.
2 - Use tea bags or loose tea leaves.
3 - Use a fine tea strainer for tea leaves.
4 - Drink black or add hot or cold milk and sugar, or a slice of lemon,
or honey.
Natural versatility with Rooibos
One of the reasons why Rooibos is so unique is because of its versatility.
Unlike other teas, Rooibos offers a variety of uses in the home. You can
bake with it, use it for punches, exotic cocktails, long refreshing soft
drinks - and because of its natural ingredients, it’s extremely good for
you too.
The dangers of caffeine and tannin
Unlike other teas, Rooibos contains absolutely no caffeine and very little
tannin. Caffeine is extremely harmful to the body as it overstimulates
the central nervous system and can promote insomnia, tension, stress, indigestion,
acidity, gout, rheumatism, high blood pressure and skin disorders. Caffeine
affects the body’s metabolism and is especially harmful to the development
of children and babies. Tannin has a harmful effect as it combines with
the proteins and iron taken in with food - causing protein and iron deficiencies.
Not only does Rooibos contain far less tannin than ordinary tea - 1% compared
to 12% - but the little tannin that is in Rooibos belongs to a far less
harmful category.
Cook up a tasty treat with Rooibos
Apart from adding taste to everything you cook, Rooibos actually makes
your meals healthier too. Rooibos has a natural sweet taste - so you don’t
have to add sugar to your cooking. And because Rooibos contains lots of
minerals and vitamins, it also lifts the nutrient level of the meal.
Rooibos - nature’s own health drink
Rooibos is a unique natural product with no additives and plenty of healthy
minerals and vitamins. It fact it’s hard to believe that something that
tastes to good can actually be so good for you too.
Rooibos for the baby
Many a mother has discovered Rooibos as the ideal remedy for colic. A little
Rooibos tea added to milk or the milk formula, soothes irritated babies
and makes for a peaceful night’s sleep. Rooibos also stimulates the development
of milk in the breasts and passes on minerals and vitamins to the baby
either through the milk or through the blood during pregnancy. Gentle application
of cold Rooibos also clears skin rashes.
Rooibos for the child
Rooibos also contains fluoride - an element essential for good teeth development
in children. Rooibos has also been medically proven to prevent and cure
acne and other skin disorders.
Rooibos for the adult
As one gets older, the benefits of Rooibos are even more apparent. It can
be enjoyed throughout the day and late in the evenings - even as a night-cap
- without causing stimulation or poor sleeping habits. Rooibos also improves
the absorption of iron, stabilizes enzyme changes as one ages and stabilizes
mineral deficiencies.
Rooibos for the sportsman
Apart from serving as an excellent thirstquencher, Rooibos helps sportsmen
maintain their fitness level. And after a tough workout, a refreshing cup
of Rooibos helps rejuvenate tired, aching bodies. More and more people
these days are drinking Rooibos Tea as it fits in with their health conscious
lifestyles. Many well-known sportsmen and -women (such as Gary Player)
regard Rooibos Tea as a necessary part of their diet.
Rooibos for the businessman and -woman
Unlike most other hot beverages, Rooibos contains no caffeine and very
little tannin. So it’s the ideal drink for the office where large quantities
can be drunk without creating tension, stress and other ‘executive’ related
disorders.
Drink Rooibos - doctor’s orders
All over the world, doctors are discovering the wholesome properties of
Rooibos. Recommended for ailments such as allergies, indigestion, insomnia,
cramps, nervous tension and many others, the minerals and vitamins in Rooibos
make it the tea that has much more than just good taste to offer.
Keep trim and slim with Rooibos
Rooibos is the perfect supplement to your diet. Rooibos even helps to stabilise
weight without the aid of a diet. Quite often the urge to eat is caused
by the strain and tension created by dieting. Rooibos, unlike other teas,
has a calming effect on the central nervous system - thus reducing the
urge to eat. And Rooibos also has a unique ‘saturation’ effect on the body
- it fills you without depriving your system of the vitamins and minerals
your body needs.
Natural economy with Rooibos
Compared to the price of other teas, Rooibos offers exceptional value for
money. But it’s when you realize the versatility of this unique South African
product that the economy of Rooibos becomes so obvious. It tastes like
no other tea, and it’s available at a price that no other tea can match.
No wonder Rooibos is everybody’s favorite cup of tea.
General tips and hints with Rooibos
-
Like a good wine Rooibos gets better with age. Leftover Rooibos can always
be stored in the fridge without clouding and re-used at a later stage.
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Rooibos Tea can substitute milk or water in a recipe. Make a delicious
milk tart by heating the milk and Rooibos Tea together.
-
Use Rooibos Tea as a meat tenderizer or as a base for meat and chicken
marinades. It also takes away the fish meal taste of the chicken.
-
Dilute powder or frozen cold drink concentrates with cold Rooibos Tea.
-
Rooibos Tea is very economical as the leaves or bags can be used more than
once.
-
Place cold Rooibos Teabags over tired or red eyes.
-
Bathe your face in cold Rooibos Tea or apply it with cotton; if somebody
suffers from a skin rash, eczema or nappy rash. Rooibos Tea also serves
as an inexpensive skin freshener.
-
If you suffer from bad indigestion, drink a cup of Rooibos Tea first thing
in the morning. Even good for a hangover.
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Potplants flourish on cold Rooibos Tea or tea leaves.
-
Rooibos Tea can be used to dye material. The strength of the tea and the
soaking time will influence the colour.
Dark hair can be rinsed with Rooibos Tea to give it a nice shine.
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