When we talk about tea, Africa isn’t the first thing to come to mind. Cape and Cape, the African house of tea, calls Africa the unknown tea continent and is the only supplier specialised in rooibos and African teas.

Apart from more traditional black, green, or oolong teas found in Africa, rooibos is the wonder plant of Africa. Grown in South Africa, north of Cape Town, African rooibos is acquired from the Aspalathus linearis bush plant and, thus, is a herbal infusion. Because of its intense red color, very often it’s also referred to as red tea or red bush tea.

Usually rooibos isn’t my first choice. But when I bumped into a colorful pâtisserie selling Cape and Cape in Aix-les-Bains this summer, I was tempted to try green rooibos, something I wasn’t familiar with. Apparently, the difference is in the oxidation of the bush leaves: red rooibos is oxidized whereas its green counterpart isn’t. Another interesting thing I’ve learnt about rooibos drinking is that South Africans add milk and sugar to it, something I would never consider to do. And to my surprise, rooibos with milk tastes absolutely great!

A cup of “Citrus Kiss” that I had was a blend of green rooibos, lemongrass and orange, with a bit of cinnamon for the final treat. Caffeine free, rooibos can be consumed day and night, all year long. Also, it’s good either hot or cold. Loaded with immune-boosting antioxidants and vitamin C, rooibos is a super healthy drink.

At the moment climate change threatens the survival of this plant which can only grow in a small mountainous area of South Africa. There have been efforts to grow rooibos plant in other continents, but so far all unsuccessful.

Ask for Cape and Cape African rooibos all across France: http://www.capeandcape.com/en/stores