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Rooibos now recognized as a Geographical Indicator (GI) by the European Commission

The European Commission now recognises Rooibos as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Geographical Indicator (GI). The authenticity and quality of rooibos has become fully visible for European and global consumers, with benefits for South African producers and the rural communities living and working on rooibos farms. Rooibos is the first African food to…

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The Rooibos Access and Benefit Sharing Agreement

The Rooibos Access and Benefit-Sharing Agreement recognize the Khoikhoi and San peoples as the traditional knowledge holders to the uses of Rooibos, an indigenous plant species found only in the Cederberg region of South Africa. In November 2019, the world’s first industry-wide benefit-sharing agreement was launched in South Africa between the Khoikhoi and San, and…

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Rooibos health benefits backed by evidence

There has been much debate about the host of benefits claimed to be present in South Africa’s miracle plant, rooibos. Rooibos is considered a superfood, containing an abundance of antioxidants and other immune-boosting health benefits. According to this research fact sheet by the Cancer Association of South Africa, “Evidence of the health benefits of Rooibos…

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News From The Farm July 2021

The latest news from the farm in Citrusdal. The skies opened up with heavy seasonal rainfall during the first week of July, giving our farmers the perfect opportunity to plant new seedlings. We’re feeling optimistic about this year’s new crops, with the Olifants River running through Citrusdal being the fullest it’s been since 1994, promising…

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Rooibos awarded Protected Geographical Indicator (GI) Status by the EU

We have a great cause for celebration! Not only has our much-loved indigenous rooibos finally been registered as a geographic indicator (GI) and awarded Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union (Regulation (EU)No 1151/2012), but it is also the first African food to achieve this status. What does this mean? GIs are…

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Implications of the Rooibos GI/PDO certification

What does it mean to be GI/PDO certified? The excerpts below explain the technicalities behind the certification, and why it is so important for our product and for South Africa. Protection of the name ‘rooibos’ The name of ‘Rooibos’/’Red Bush’ can only be used to refer to the dried leaves and stems of 100 %…

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The History of Rooibos

Imagine sitting around a campfire sipping a cup of steaming hot rooibos tea on a cold night, listening to stories from long before you were even born. Unknown pioneering people coming alive in the flickering flame, giving you a renewed appreciation for what is in your hand. Such is the story of rooibos. An accidental…

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Green Rooibos: From Crop to Cup

GREEN ROOIBOS: FROM CROP TO CUP Carmién Tea is not only renowned for being a marketer and exporter of Rooibos but as one of the only brands that are the producer, processor, and marketer/exporter. Carmién supplies Rooibos tea directly from the farm in South Africa as we are based in the unique Rooibos region (60…

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Green Rooibos and Health

GREEN ROOIBOS AND HEALTH The worldwide popularity of Rooibos is not only due to its unique location and sweet taste, but its multiple proven benefits. Green Rooibos has a higher polyphenol content and therefore higher antioxidant levels than fermented Rooibos tea. The antioxidants in Green Rooibos are potent enough to measurably elevate antioxidant levels in…

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Rooibos and your mental health

Learn more about the health benefits of rooibos tea in celebration of World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October. With the ever-changing and often increasing stressors of day-to-day life, it is more important than ever to take care of ourselves and our mental health. Our favourite form of self-care is, of course, rooibos…

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