Rooibos & honeybush

Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is a plant native to South Africa, specifically the mountainous regions of the Cederberg and the Western Cape. Its name means “red bush” in Afrikaans, referring to the color it takes on after processing. Unlike traditional tea, rooibos does not come from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), but from a shrub in the legume family. Its needle-shaped leaves are picked, finely chopped, then oxidized before being sun-dried, which gives it its coppery-red hue and distinctive aromas. There is also a non-oxidized “green” rooibos, which has a much more herbaceous flavor profile.

Rooibos is consumed as a herbal infusion, not as tea. It is naturally free of theine and caffeine, which explains its popularity among people looking for a mild beverage that can be enjoyed at any time of day.

Choosing to drink organic, fair-trade rooibos is not just about choosing a high-quality herbal tea. It means supporting a supply chain that places people and the environment at the heart of its priorities. It means encouraging fairly compensated producers, soil-friendly farming practices, the preservation of South Africa’s fynbos, and the passing down of ancestral know-how. For over 30 years, Jardins de Gaïa’s commitment to the cooperatives in Wupperthal and Heiveld has been based on a simple conviction: the quality of a product is inextricably linked to the people who grow it. Every cup of rooibos is much more than just a tea. It tells the story of a region unique in the world, of a plant capable of withstanding the harshest conditions, and of the women and men who work every day to preserve its future.

To better understand the unique characteristics of their rooibos, Les Jardins de Gaïa commissioned a study from the Twistaroma laboratory. The analyses revealed significant antioxidant activity in the three rooibos varieties studied (wild, Wupperthal, and Heiveld). All belong to the same species (Aspalathus linearis) but come from different terroirs.

Of the 56 phenolic compounds identified, 21 exhibit antioxidant activity.

According to the laboratory’s analyses, a 150-ml infusion exhibits antioxidant activity comparable to that of approximately 150 g of red cabbage or cherries.

The study also shows that each rooibos has a unique taste and aromatic profile, directly linked to its terroir, cultivation methods, and the producers’ expertise.

Tea and rooibos come from two completely different plants. Tea comes from the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), a plant grown mainly in Asia and in several tropical and subtropical regions. It naturally contains theine (which is chemically identical to caffeine). Rooibos, on the other hand, comes from a South African shrub, Aspalathus linearis. It naturally contains neither theine nor caffeine.

The main differences are:

Rooibos is sometimes referred to as “red tea,” but this term can be misleading: it is not actually tea.

Drinking a cup of rooibos allows you to enjoy rounded, mellow, and warm flavors, with little bitterness or astringency. Its flavor profile varies depending on its region of origin, cultivation methods, and processing. Red rooibos, which is oxidized after harvest, generally develops mellow, woody, and slightly sweet aromas. Depending on its origin, it may reveal herbaceous, vanilla, honeyed, or fruity notes—particularly reminiscent of apple—as well as floral nuances of magnolia or spicy hints of clove. Green rooibos, whose oxidation is halted, retains more of the fresh plant’s character and develops a fresh, herbaceous, and vegetal profile accompanied by subtle tangy notes. Rooibos can thus offer very different flavor profiles depending on its origin.

Yes, you can drink red or green rooibos daily as part of a balanced diet. Since it’s naturally caffeine-free, you can enjoy several cups throughout the day, unlike certain beverages that contain stimulants. In South Africa, its country of origin, rooibos has been part of daily life for generations. It can be enjoyed hot or cold, on its own or blended with other herbs. But as with any beverage or herbal tea, it’s advisable to vary your intake and maintain a varied diet.