Honeybush

Origin of ingredients

Agulhas Honeybush Tea (AHT)

Terroir

Agulhas Honeybush Tea is a family business located in Bredasdorp, in the Western Cape region of South Africa. This is a region of rolling hills and coastal plains. The Langeberg mountain range can be seen to the north, and sand dunes to the south. Bredasdorp enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Soils vary from sandy to clayey. Water resources come mainly from local rivers, such as the Heuningnes, as well as from rainfall, which occurs mainly in the winter months from May to August. The Cape Floristic Region boasts exceptional biodiversity, and is home to the fynbos biome. This is characterized by dense, shrubby vegetation, home to endemic species such as Swainson's francolins and Bondebok antelopes.

Background and challenges

Honeybush is a shrub endemic to the region, capable of withstanding prolonged drought thanks to a well-developed root system. However, global warming is exacerbating periods of drought, jeopardizing the survival of young shrubs, as their root network is not sufficiently developed to absorb adequate amounts of moisture.

Community projects

The company was founded in 1994 with the aim of growing organic, environmentally-friendly Honeybush tea and developing the South African Honeybush tea industry. Since the 2000s, the company has supported Honeybush producers of all sizes, from cultivation to certification of their Honeybush, bearing the cost of the latter. This encourages a more sustainable production model, generating exceptional product quality for international and local markets.