Rooibos Could be the Next Big Health Drink. Here is How to Get Ahead with Carmién

05 November 2025

Excerpt:

Tap rising demand for rooibos, a clean, caffeine-free health drink. Partner with Carmién to launch private-label teas, RTD, and powders quickly.

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Consumers want drinks that taste good, feel clean, and support everyday health. Rooibos tea fits that brief. It is naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, so it is gentle on the stomach (Healthline, n.d.; South African Rooibos Council, 2024). It also contains unique plant antioxidants, like aspalathin and nothofagin, that are being studied for heart, blood sugar, and skin support (NCBI, n.d.; ScienceDirect, n.d.). For retailers, hospitality groups, wellness brands, and distributors, rooibos is a simple way to meet health demand without adding sugar or stimulants. Carmién can help you move fast and win shelf space with a reliable, high-quality supply (Carmién Tea, n.d.).

Why Rooibos Stands Out

  • Caffeine-free and naturally sweet. No sugar or sweeteners needed (Healthline, n.d.; South African Rooibos Council, 2024).
  • Gentle on digestion. Low in tannins with a smooth taste (Healthline, n.d.).
  • Antioxidant-rich. Rooibos contains aspalathin and nothofagin that help the body fight oxidative stress (NCBI, n.d.; ScienceDirect, n.d.).
  • Suits many formats. Loose leaf, teabags, powders, micro powders, and ready-to-drink (South African Rooibos Council, 2024).
  • Proudly South African. It is the national tea and supports local farming communities (CANSA, 2025; South African Rooibos Council, 2024).

What the Science Says in Simple Terms

  • Heart and blood fats. Human studies suggest rooibos may help improve lipid profiles (NCBI, n.d.).
  • Antioxidant status. Trials show it can raise antioxidant levels and help lower oxidative stress (NCBI, n.d.).
  • Blood sugar and inflammation. Some studies report lower blood glucose and markers of inflammation (NCBI, n.d.).
  • Gut health. Early findings suggest benefits for digestion and the gut lining (The Conversation, n.d.).
  • Healthy ageing. Antioxidants in rooibos may help protect cells from damage linked to ageing (Klipopmekaar Rooibos, n.d.; NCBI, n.d.).

These findings are promising, but more large studies are still needed. Brands should speak to general support and avoid medical claims (CANSA, 2025; Healthline, n.d.).

The Market is Moving

Analysts project strong global growth for rooibos, with the category expected to reach hundreds of millions of dollars and grow about 7.5 to 8.5 percent a year through 2033. Growth is driven by natural, caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich products and by new formats like flavoured blends and ready-to-drink. Demand is rising in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific (Market Report Analytics, 2025; Archive Market Research, 2025).

Where to Play First

  • Everyday wellness teas. Pure rooibos or green rooibos with simple flavour cues like citrus or berry (South African Rooibos Council, 2024).
  • Functional blends. Pair rooibos with botanicals linked to calm, balance, or digestion (Healthline, n.d.; The Conversation, n.d.).
  • Ready to drink. Lightly brewed, unsweetened or low sugar, with clean labels (Market Report Analytics, 2025).
  • Powders and micro powders. For smoothies, shots, sachets, and food products (South African Rooibos Council, 2024).
  • Hospitality and travel. Caffeine-free options for evening service, kids, and health-focused menus (CANSA, 2025).

Why Partner with Carmién

  • Origin to shelf. We grow, process, pack, and export. This gives you reliable quality, fair pricing, and full traceability (Carmién Tea, n.d.).
  • Fast private label. Our product team helps you pick the right cut, blend, and pack. We manage flavours, compliance, and timelines (Carmién Tea, n.d.).
  • Formats for every job. From long and short cuts to powders and micro powders that work well in RTD and sachets (South African Rooibos Council, 2024; Carmién Tea, n.d.).
  • Global standards. We hold leading food safety and ethical certifications. This helps smooth retailer approvals (Carmién Tea, n.d.).
  • Clear on pack story. Rooibos has a strong health and origin story that shoppers understand (CANSA, 2025; South African Rooibos Council, 2024).

How We Work With You

Tell us your channel, price point, and target shopper. We will propose two to three concepts with blends, formats, and compliant claim language. We will also advise on pack sizes, lead times, and the critical path to the first order. Our goal is to help you ride the wellness wave with a speciality rooibos range that is easy to launch and easy to scale.

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