Rooibos Grades and Cuts
Cultivar: Aspalathus Linearis
Carmién Rooibos is grown from seed or seedlings, from one cultivar only; Aspalathus Linearis. It is a needle-like bush with a deep tap root system and a 5-year life cycle, known worldwide for its exceptional health benefits.
In May 2021 Rooibos became the first African food to receive the status of Geographical Indication (GIs), Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012, granting it the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Sixteen regions within the Western and Northern Cape of South Africa are the only regions where Rooibos can be grown and called "Rooibos Tea". Our Carmién Rooibos tea farms are spread across these areas and together with our long-term contracted producers, we obtain Rooibos from all the specified regions.
Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, unlike Black or Green Tea. It has a naturally sweet taste with a smooth texture and mouthfeel, characterised by fruity caramel notes on the nose with low astringency on the follow-through.
Rooibos Long Cut (LC)
A longer tea leaf cut; 3mm - 6mm and uniform in cut size; smooth; typical sweet amber cup, and mainly sold as 'loose' tea but also an excellent base for blended (loose) fruit & herbal teas in pyramid bags.
Rooibos Short Cut (SC)
A slightly coarser cut than SFC; smooth; typical sweet aroma; amber cup infusion, and mainly sold for certain packed tea products when blended with other herbs and/ or fruit teas.
Rooibos Super Fine Cut (SFC)
The finest tea cut; strong cup infusion; typical sweet aroma with slightly more astringency; also known as a ‘teabag’ cut. Used for retail packaging. Volumetric density varies from 300ml/100g to 360ml/100g. Granules can be added to better the density should it be necessary.
Rooibos Powder
The very fine powder sifted out during processing from all grades; also used for manufacturing of espresso mixes and granulates. Rich in flavour and high in density.
Rooibos Micro Powder
Finely milled rooibos powder used in smoothies, shakes, over cereal or for culinary uses; does not dissolve completely in liquids.
Choice Grade
Available in a coarser or finer ‘teabag’ cut; contains more stem; finer cut mainly used for teabags and the coarser cut for (tagless) teabags or pyramid teabags, where coarser cuts beautifully display the visual elements of the ingredients.
Recycle Grade
These are customized grades prepared from a certain percentage re-worked products according to customers preferences.
Green Rooibos Grades and Cuts
Cultivar: Aspalathus Linearis
Green Rooibos is unfermented and, thus has not gone through the fermentation (oxidation) process which turns the green leaves into a red-brown colour. It is therefore also higher in antioxidants with increased benefits. The pH level of unfermented rooibos is slightly higher than fermented rooibos.
Green Rooibos Long Cut
Light cup infusion; green taste with caramel notes; used and mainly sold as 'loose' tea but also an excellent base for blended (loose) fruit & herbal teas.
Green Rooibos Super Fine Cut
Typical light cup infusion; green taste with caramel notes; can be used for 'teabag' packing; density is usually less than that of fermented red rooibos tea.
Green Rooibos Powder
The very fine powder sifted out during processing from all grades; also used for manufacturing of espresso mixes and granulates. Rich in flavour and high in density.
Green Rooibos Micro Powder
Finely milled rooibos powder used in smoothies, shakes, over cereal or for culinary uses; does not dissolve completely in liquids.
Honeybush Grades and Cuts
Cultivar: A blend of Honeybush cultivars including Cyclopia Intermedia, Cyclopia Subternata, Cyclopia Genistoides, Cyclopia Sessiliflora and Cyclopia Longifolia.
Honeybush is another unique herbal tea from South Africa, grown more towards the South-West and Eastern Coast Districts of SA. The flowers of the honeybush shrub have a honey-like smell, hence the name. Naturally caffeine-free Honeybush is sweeter and fuller-bodied than rooibos, a taste often described as floral, lightly roasted, similar to honey.
Unfermented Green Honeybush has not undergone the fermentation process that gives fermented Honeybush and Rooibos their distinct red colour. Green Honeybush is higher in antioxidants with increased health benefits. The pH level of unfermented Honeybush is slightly higher than fermented Honeybush.
Honeybush Coarse Cut (CC)
Though fermented, has a light cup infusion with a full body flavour profile; used and mainly sold as 'loose' tea but also an excellent base for blended (loose) fruit & herbal teas; used in pyramid teabags and loose blends.
Honeybush Super Fine Cut (SFC)
Honeybush is a full bodied herbal tea with spicy notes; the different cultivars have different flavour profiles and a blend ensures best consistency; the fine cut is used for 'teabag' packaging.
Green Honeybush Coarse Cut (CC)
Light cup infusion still with a full smooth flavour profile; used and mainly sold as 'loose' tea but also an excellent base for blended (loose) fruit & herbal teas; used in pyramid teabags and loose blends.
Green Honeybush Super Fine Cut (CC)
Light cup infusion; full smooth flavour profile; can be used for teabag packaging.