Tetley UK introduced redbush (both pure and vanilla flavored) to their lineup a few years ago. Like other Tetley teas, this one comes in the familiar round Tetley tea bags.
I’ve tried the redbush from Numi Organic, Adagio and Republic of Tea. Tetley’s ranks somewhere in the middle … upper middle. Continue reading “Tetley Redbush Pure”
I brought home a small packet of Republic of Tea’s Cedarberg Organic Red Full-Leaf recently from Central Market. I’ve come to truly appreciate the taste of rooibos since I first tried it over a year ago. It’s no doubt an acquired taste that holds no appeal to my wife and other family members when served hot.
The good thing about rooibos (aka red bush) is it won’t over steep. Absolutely no bitterness will result — just more flavor. It’s also caffeine free, so you can enjoy it after dinner. Continue reading “Republic of Tea Organic Rooibos Reviewed”
A common complaint about rooibos (pronounced roy-boss or roy-bus and otherwise known as red bush or red tea) is that it has a medicinal flavor/aroma; that was my initial assessment too. A few cups later, however, and I was seduced by its gentle, sweet, refreshing flavor. Rooibos comes from a South African plant and, like tea, can be produced as green (minimally oxidized) or red (oxidized). It’s caffeine free and rich in antioxidants.
For this review, I tried a sample of plain, loose leaf Rooibos from the online tea merchant, Adagio (www.adagio.com). Preparation involved placing the leaves in a teapot, covering them with boiling water, and steeping for five minutes.
I detect a few scents in Adagio rooibos’ strong, sweet aroma: earthiness, menthol, marijuana (being consumed), apples, and vanilla. It offers a sweet taste with a smooth finish. A little squirt of lemon complements this rooibos very well.
| Aroma (brewed): | Sweet, earthy, menthol, vanilla, apples, burning marijuana |
|---|---|
| Body: | Medium |
| Flavor: | Sweet and smooth with little astringency |
| Color: | Reddish Amber |
Rooibos (Afrikaans for red bush) is an plant indigenous to South Africa that is used to produce and herbal tea by the same name. Commonly referred to as “red tea”, rooibos is free of caffeine and known for its calming effect.
A few rooibos options were available at the grocery store — all in teabag format of course. I went with an organic version, thinking it would be the truest representation.
I’ve made this tea a handful of times already. The medicinal flavor that so many people complain about was noticeable at first. On subsequent tries, however, the medicinal quality became less prominent as did the flavor in general.
Rooibos tea has gentle flavor — an earthy, almost nutty taste — with mild sweetness. I don’t detect vanilla as is suggested on the packaging. No sweetener is needed in my opinion.
This herbal tea has grown on me. I now use two teabags for a stronger cup and look forward to trying a loose tea version. Caffeine free and mellow, rooibos tea is great in the evening after you’ve exercised and/or are trying to wind down.
