Rooibos & Herbal Infusions Tea - Tealovers.com.au

Rooibos tea is a herbal infusion made from the Aspalathus linearis bush shrub that is native to South Africa. Rooibos isn’t actually a tea in the sense that it doesn’t come from the camellia sinensis plant – It is a herb that infuses in water to make a nutritious herbal beverage. Similarly to the production of tea, rooibos tea leaves (leaves form the Aspalathus linearis shrub) are cut, dried and fermented to produce a reddish-brown coloured leaf. Indigenous to South Africa, rooibos tea is the popular drink found in most South African households and is now currently sold in over 60 countries worldwide.

It is interesting to know about how rooibos tea was first discovered. In the 1700’s early Dutch settlers in Cape Town discovered rooibos tea as an alternative to drinking expensive black tea from Europe at the time.  A European botanist Carl Thuinberg who visited Cape Town in 1772, studied the rooibos plant and the tea that could be brewed from it. Following this, Benjamin Ginsberg (a Russian immigrant), recognised the potential of rooibos tea and started marketing it as an export product. It wasn’t until the 20^th century that the health benefits of rooibos tea were recognised by DR Le Fras Nortier, who starting researching into its unique nutritional & medicinal qualities.

The proper commercial and manufacture of rooibos tea didn’t start until the 1930’s. Rooibos tea made worldwide news headlines in 1968 when a South African mother put rooibos in the spotlight, claiming its ability to soothe her baby’s colic. Further in the 1980’s rooibos tea made waves in Japan due to claims of its antiaging health benefits. Most recently in 2006 rooibos tea has seen a new invoiation in the form of a ‘rooibos tea espresso’ gaining popularity within cafes and retail outlets all over the world.

Rooibos tea is packed full of powerful antioxidants, such as aspalathin and quercetin, associating it with cancer fighting benefits, as well as heart health and bone health benefits. Rooibos is also said to be high in vitamins and minerals such as calcium, manganese, magnesium and iron – giving it great relaxation properties and its reputation as the herbal ‘relaxation tea’. Tea Lovers Rooibos Cream, rooibos tea flavoured with caramel and vanilla, is the perfect relaxation blend with smooth notes of seductive vanilla. As rooibos tea contains no caffeine, it also makes for a great night-time tea alternative.

Tea Lovers Australia sells high grade Organic Rooibos Tea (unflavoured) as well as many delicious flavoured Rooibos Tea varieties. Tea Lovers popular flavoured Rooibos tea includes; Rooibos Blueberry Cheesecake, Rooibos Strawberries & Cream, Rooibos Chocolate & Truffle, Rooibos Orange Spiced Chai, Rooibos Dragonfruit & Ginger, Rooibos Cream (caramel & vanilla) and many more delicious flavours to choose from.

To shop Australia’s widest range of natural Rooibos and Honeybush loose leaf teas, you must visit Tea Lovers Online Speciality Tea Shop at www.tealovers.com.au.