What is Rooibos
Rooibos is a spiky shrub endemic to South Africa with a rich and storied history dating back to the indigenous inhabitants of the Cederberg Region, the Khoi San. Rooibos is a fynbos species within the Cape Floral Kingdom and is unique to the Western Cape in South Africa. The botanical name for the rooibos plant is Aspalathus linearis. In many countries, rooibos is known as "red tea", "redbush", or "African red tea".
Rooibos has a delicate balance of sweetness on the nose, slight astringency, and a full, smooth mouthfeel. It is characterised by fynbos-floral, woody, honey-like aromas, and fruity-sweet caramel, vanilla, and apricot flavours.
Health Benefits of Rooibos
Naturally
Caffeine-Free
Rich in
Antioxidants
Improves
Heart Health
Regulates
Blood Sugar
Supports Skin Health
Metabolic
Support
Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and is rich in powerful natural antioxidants, including aspalathin, which combat several diseases and assist in preventing oxidative stress in the body. With its high mineral content, rooibos provides a wide range of health benefits to those who enjoy it regularly.
Rooibos Uses
Beverages
Rooibos can be brewed hot or cold and paired with honey, milk, or fruits for a deliciously rich drink. A strong extract can be brewed for use in cocktails or mocktails. Carmién also infuses rooibos with gin to create a flavourful and memorable cocktail experience.
Culinary
Rooibos makes for a versatile cooking ingredient that can be used as a base for stews and marinades, or as a cooking liquid for rice and grains. The natural earthy notes pair well with meats, poultry and tofu, and can add depth to baked goods like cakes, muffins and breads.
Wellness
Rooibos is known for its antioxidant properties and is often used to soothe digestion, reduce inflammation, and support immune health. Rooibos is a naturally caffeine-free and sugar-free drink that can be enjoyed as a relaxing evening beverage to promote better sleep.
Cosmetics
Rooibos can act as a natural toner when added to cosmetic products or can be added to bath products for their calming, skin-softening properties. The antioxidant content of rooibos has a firming effect on skin and protects against oxidative stress and damage.
Pet Care
Rooibos powders can be added to pet supplements to reduce inflammation and provide healing and support for joints and cartilage. Carmién has formulated a specialised Pet Food Supplement with turmeric, rosehip, and a pleasant beef flavour.
Production and Processing
From the soil of the Citrusdal Valley in South Africa to the teabag in your cup, our rooibos undergoes a strictly-regulated process of fermentation, drying, testing, and blending to ensure the final product is of consistent, world-class quality.
Grades and Cuts
We offer Rooibos, Green Rooibos, and Honeybush in a variety of grades and cuts that are suitable for different applications, from traditional tea bags to cosmetics and wellness products. Find out about the various cuts on offer and their uses.
Rooibos Tasting Notes
When tasting red rooibos, it has a delicate balance of sweetness on the nose, slight astringency, and full, smooth mouthfeel. There are three primary aromas i.e. fynbos-floral, woody and honey, followed by secondary aromas: fruity-sweet, caramel and apricot.
Although red Rooibos has a light, earthy taste, it’s strong enough to hold other ingredients like fruit, herbs, flowers, spices and even chocolate, making it ideal to use in popular blends like Masala chai or flower/fruity teas. It’s ideal to be used in cappuccino’s, latte, or espresso formats.
Rooibos Aroma Wheel
Green Rooibos
Green rooibos does not undergo the same bruising and fermentation process as red rooibos, but is dried immediately after cutting to preserve the naturally high levels of antioxidants and the green colour. In comparison to red rooibos, green rooibos has a mild, slightly sweet, and grassy flavour, characterised by notes of caramel, and a smooth, enjoyable mouthfeel.
The History of Rooibos
Nearly 250 years ago, Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg recorded seeing local Khoisan communities using rooibos as a beverage during his travels through South Africa in 1772. This early documentation laid the foundation for rooibos to emerge as a local alternative to expensive imported black tea. In the 1930s, Clanwilliam doctor and nature enthusiast Le Fras Nortier began cultivating rooibos commercially with the help of local communities who gathered the plant’s elusive seeds.
Celebrated for its naturally caffeine-free, low-tannin profile and distinctive fruity-sweet flavour, rooibos has since become a cultural symbol in South Africa. A 2005 survey found rooibos to be one of the ten most consumed products in informal settlements. Its popularity continues to grow globally, driven by both its taste and widely recognised health benefits.
In 2014, rooibos was granted Geographical Indication (GI) status in South Africa, formally recognising its unique regional identity. This was followed in 2019 by the world’s first industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement, which acknowledged the Khoikhoi and San peoples as traditional knowledge holders of rooibos. In 2021, rooibos achieved Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status in the European Union, affirming that it can only be grown in the Cederberg and surrounding areas of South Africa.
Pre-1700's: Indigenous Use
The indigenous Khoisan people of the Cederberg Region utilised rooibos for its medicinal properties. As of 2019, a levy of 1.5% of the farm gate price of all rooibos tea is annually paid into a trust, controlled by the Khoi and San, to be used at their discretion for the upliftment of their communities. This follows years of negotiations in recognising the Khoi and San as the rightful traditional knowledge holders of rooibos.
1759: The Name ‘Rooibos’ Emerges
Around this time, “rooibos” becomes the common term used to describe the reddish shrub native to the Cederberg. The name, meaning “red bush” in Afrikaans, refers to the plant’s colour after fermentation and helps establish its identity in trade and law. As rooibos grows in popularity, the term becomes closely tied to its geographic origin and later plays a central role in legal protections and global branding.
1772: First Western Record of Rooibos
Swedish botanist Carl Thunberg documents the local use of rooibos during a visit to the Cape. Observing indigenous communities preparing the herbal tea, he records Aspalathus linearis in botanical literature. His notes are the first Western account of rooibos and spark interest in its commercial and scientific potential. Though it remains a local product for some time, Thunberg’s writing helps position rooibos for future global trade.
1904: Commercial Interest Takes Root
In the early 20th century; rooibos begins transitioning from local use to broader trade. Its appeal as a caffeine-free alternative to black tea grows, especially among settlers. Harvesting becomes more structured, although still primarily wild. This marks the first commercial interest in rooibos and lays the groundwork for future cultivation and industry formation.
1930s: First Cultivated Rooibos Crops
Dr Pieter Le Fras Nortier successfully cultivates rooibos by discovering that its seeds germinate better when scarified. With support from local farmers, the shift from wild harvesting to cultivation begins. This breakthrough allows consistent production and marks the beginning of the rooibos farming industry. Cultivation techniques developed in this period remain fundamental to the industry today.
1948–1954: Industry Organisation and Regulation
In response to instability after World War II, farmers form cooperatives and establish a regulatory board. The board controls pricing, enforces quality standards, and supports production. These early structures create a stable foundation for the rooibos industry and formalise the product’s entry into larger markets. Regulation helps rooibos transition into a dependable agricultural sector.
1968–1971: Medicinal Benefits Promoted
Rooibos gains public attention for its ability to soothe infant colic, allergies, and insomnia. Research and anecdotal evidence lead to growing consumer interest in its health benefits. The tea is marketed as a functional beverage, expanding its appeal beyond flavour and tradition. Rooibos begins appearing in wellness categories, including skincare and natural health products.
1984: Global Anti-Ageing Spotlight
Rooibos gains traction in international markets, particularly in Japan, after being promoted as a natural anti-ageing product. Its high antioxidant content supports this positioning, helping rooibos enter the global health and beauty conversation. International interest grows, expanding demand and prompting exporters to explore new formats and applications for rooibos beyond traditional tea.
1995: Green Rooibos Developed
A new processing method is developed to create green rooibos by preventing oxidation after harvesting. The result is a lighter-coloured tea with higher antioxidant levels and a milder, grassy flavour. Green rooibos expands the product offering and appeals to health-conscious consumers, supporting diversification in both domestic and export markets.
2005: Rooibos Trademark Dispute Resolved
After a lengthy legal battle in the United States over trademark rights to the word “rooibos,” the name is returned to the public domain. This decision protects South African producers’ ability to use and export rooibos under its rightful name. The dispute prompts stronger efforts to safeguard rooibos through geographical and legal protections.
2014: Rooibos Granted GI Status in South Africa
Rooibos becomes the first South African agricultural product outside wine and spirits to receive Geographical Indication (GI) status. This ensures that only rooibos grown in specific parts of the Western and Northern Cape can be marketed under the name. GI status protects regional identity, boosts market value, and sets a precedent for other local products.
2017: National Rooibos Day Launched
South Africa recognises 16 January as National Rooibos Day to celebrate the tea’s heritage and economic role. The day raises awareness of rooibos’s health benefits, cultural significance, and contribution to the national economy. It also honours the original knowledge holders and promotes continued research and innovation within the industry.
2022: EU PDO Certification Secured
The European Union grants rooibos Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. This provides rooibos with formal protection in EU markets and limits use of the name to products grown in designated South African regions. It also affirms rooibos’s unique qualities tied to its geographic origin and strengthens its global brand position.
2023–2024: Harmonised Code & ABS Agreement Finalised
The rooibos industry receives a dedicated Harmonised System (HS) code for better tracking in global trade. At the same time, the industry finalises an Access and Benefit-Sharing agreement with the Khoi and San Councils, ensuring equitable returns for the use of traditional knowledge. These steps improve traceability and ethical compliance in international markets.
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De Villiers, D. (2023). Rooibos and Geographical Indication Protection. South African Rooibos Council. Unpublished industry statement shared via Carmién Tea internal documentation.
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Gorelik, B., 2017. Rooibos: An ethnographic perspective. A study of the origins and nature of the traditional knowledge associated with the Aspalathus linearis. South African Rooibos Council. Available at: https://sarooibos.co.za/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/20180723-SARC-format-TK-Paper-SU-1.pdf [Accessed 20 Jun. 2025].
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Klipopmekaar. (2021). Rooibos Awarded Protected Geographical Indicator Status by EU. [online] Available at: https://www.klipopmekaar.co.za/rooibos-tea-history/ [Accessed 20 Jun. 2025].
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Rooibos Council. (n.d.). Discover Rooibos: History. [online] Available at: https://rooibos.africa/discover/history.html [Accessed 20 Jun. 2025].
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WIPO. (2021). Disputing a Name, Developing a Geographical Indication: Rooibos. World Intellectual Property Organization. [online] Available at: https://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=10937 [Accessed 20 Jun. 2025].
