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rooibos in a mug
an amazing lemon infused cup or red rooibos

Rooibos info

November 26, 2022 /
Reading Time: 4 minutes

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Introduction

What is Rooibos and why should I even think about it when I think of what my next cuppa tea is going to be? If you have, or maybe if you haven’t had that thought before, then don’t worry as you are not alone. Rooibos is making a strong surge in popularity in the brewed drink arena and for good reason. Listed below are some cool facts about roobios, a bit of info about the drink itself and other things about this new bush making a lot of noise in the traditionally quieter mid day tea world.

Rooibos and caffeine

The first thing that we will get right to the point about is the rooibos caffeine discussion as this is a very popular one that often comes up. I will say it right now that Rooibos does not have any caffeine in it. If you don’t believe me, then check the almighty Wikipedia here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos with the specific quote being “Rooibos is becoming more popular in Western countries, particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin, its lack of caffeine” This is why many women will turn to rooibos when they are pregnant. To find out more info about rooibos and pregnancy just take a look at these posts we have put up in the past:

Rooibos and its benefits

 
So now that we have gotten that out of the way we can talk about why it is good that roobios does not have any caffeine in it. The first, and what I think is the best thing about roobios, is that you can have it at any time of the day or night. I love a strong black tea but sometimes just before bed it just doesn’t suite the situation very well. This is where roobios comes in to save the day as I can enjoy it an hour, 15 minutes, or 45 minutes before I want to go to bed without any worry of staying up once that caffeine boost kicks in.

Rooibos and pregnancy


Another reason that roobios has really started to gain traction in the rest of the world is due to its appeal to pregnant woman. I was unaware but during pregnancy caffeine intake is supposed to be on the lower side as complications can occur, so a lot of woman have been choosing roobios when they are pregnant. That’s why you can check out our article here for the info you need tea for two?

Rooibos and its lack of caffeine


So now that we know the coolest thing about roobios, and its lack of caffeine, let’s get some more info on the drink that comes from brewing up roobios. The drink is typically a nice red color, which is the result of processed roobios being steeped with hot water. Recently there has been new blends including green roobios, which like its green tea counterpart, is a less processed version of the plant. In this article we will focus on the red variant and maybe in the future talk about green roobios a bit more in depth. This is why tea and pregnancy are things that you must keep an eye out for.

Conclusion


The drink that is brewed up is a nice red color with a natural taste to it. I am not going to imply that it is a drink that tastes like dirt; however you will notice a distinct flavor that reminds me of a less processed black tea leaf. The flavor is rawer and more open, which is something that really doesn’t give a very good idea of how it tastes. I think that for you to get a full appreciation of roobios you must really try it for yourself. If you don’t you will never know what you are missing out on!

white ceramic bowl with rooibos
rooibos in a cup


Overall roobios is a great addition to any tea collection, even though it is not a true tea itself. It is a great pre drink or iced option whenever you need to take a break from your usual favorites. Make sure you check out our other great article if you are looking for more info drinking tea while you are pregnant

light brew of Rooibos

How to make rooibos tea

November 9, 2022 /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

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How to make the perfect cup of rooibos

Rooibos has been bursting onto the tea scene in recent times and is really starting to become popular due to its very unique taste, as well as its lower caffeine levels which allow it to be enjoyed anytime during the day or night. Rooibos is not technically a tea as it does not come from the plant that makes all teas, but it is a great plant to brew up and enjoy. Sometimes people refer to rooibos as a red tea, due to its unique color when brewing the processed pieces of plant.

Although it is generally seen as a red cup you will also notice that there are new green versions of rooibos that have come out, like this one,

green rooibos
green rooibos

 http://theteacupany.com/rooibos/green-rooibos/  , which are the unprocessed versions of red rooibos. Each come with their unique flavors but both will satisfy your look for a tea alternative to brew up. Rooibos is a bit different than traditional teas when it comes to preparation so just read below and you will find the way to make the perfect cup of rooibos.

Easy steps to brewing Rooibos

The first thing you will want to do is start with hot water, around 100 degrees, to really let the flavors out of the plant. If you brew the rooibos at a lower temp you will be missing out on the sweet flavors of red rooibos, or the more earthy flavors of the green version.  You will want to get your water nice and hot, then pour it onto your rooibos mix and then let it steep.

With rooibos being a different plant altogether from the classic tea bearing plants you will also want to ensure you are letting it steep long enough. Rooibos requires a longer steep time of between 6-8 minutes to really get the most out of the little pieces. Be sure not to under steep rooibos as you might be left underwhelmed by the flavor, as it does take some time to make a good cup of rooibos.

Extra tips on brewing Rooibos

Another note about rooibos is that it is often a lot smaller than your traditional teas, which can cause some problems if you don’t have the right things to brew the mixes with.

Rooibos is a great go to when you are looking to get away from your current tea collections so don’t hesitate to take a look around and see if there are any flavors that catch your mind http://theteacupany.com/category/rooibos/ . It is truly a unique flavor that you would expect from something coming from the beautiful country of Africa all the way to your door.

loose leaf rooibos

How to say Rooibos

November 5, 2022 /
Reading Time: 3 minutes
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HOW TO SAY ROOIBOS

You’ve read about it. You’ve prepared it and you’ve drank it. You love it. You say it, but are you pronouncing it correctly? Before I read up on it I always got funny looks when I tried to explain the new tisane I tried that made red tea …. only to find out that I had been saying it wrong the whole time :)

Rooibos is a plant grown only in South Africa, North of Cape Town. United States and China have tried to cultivate this plant, but to no avail. It is seemingly particular with the soil, climate, and local microorganisms in South Africa such that it cannot be cultivated on other parts of the world.

clear glass jar with brown liquid
nice cup of rooibos

Rooibos does not come from the tea plant, camella sinensis, (common source of white, green and black tea) hence, it is not tea. It has the scientific name of Aspalathus linearis. It is more correct to say that rooibos is a tisane (pronounced as ”teas-on”), or an herbal infusion. However, another meaning for tea is infusion of leaves in water and some people call tisanes such as ginger and chamomile as tea so this common misconception has also been applied to rooibos.

Rooibos is pronounced as ”roy-boss”. That easy. It is sometimes spelled as rooibosch, its version in Dutch, but still pronounced the same. It is sometimes referred to as Red Bush Tea, or Rooibos Tea. Apparently, Rooibos is the Afrikaans word for ”red bush”(rooi = red, bos = bush) since the color of the plant and the resulting concoction is red.

This drink is gaining its popularity in the Western countries and around the world due to its health benefits. Rooibos and caffeine are not generally in the same sentence as there is no caffeine in rooibos, and rooibos is low in tannins, which are chemicals which block the absorption of calcium. It alleviates skin allergies and stomach problems such as indigestion and constipation.

Plus, our central nervous system which gives us a good night sleep, improves our sleeping pattern and prevents insomnia. Also drinking rooibos during pregnancy has started to become popular due to the health benefits listed above, especially the lack of caffeine.

So now you know how to say it, don’t cover your mouth, pretend to cough, or pronounce it fast. Say it the right way. Kudos to Rooibos!

And if you haven’t had success, or are still unsure make sure you check out this video to find out how to say rooibos from this youtube video.

Cup of hot tea on wooden windowsill during sundown

How to brew Honeybush Tea….

November 3, 2022 /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Introduction to HoneyBush

By reading this I will assume you have found honeybush, or you haven’t yet and if that is the case you might want to read: Honeybush Tea
If you have read that, have an idea about what honeybush is all about, or are just looking to brew your new mix up then just keep on reading.

loose leaf honeybush blend
nice vibrant honeybush


So honeybush is not a tea, check. Honeybush is the cousin of rooibos, check. And honeybush tastes great, check! All these things are true, and to get your cup of honeybush going all you need to do is figure out how to brew your honeybush perfectly.


At its basic level brewing tea, or a tisane/herbal mix, is a pretty easy thing. In theory you just need to put some hot water in with something else, let it sit and drink. Sounds pretty easy right?

I don’t want to sound like it isn’t easy once you know why you are doing things, so it is important to come back to the 3 main things that will be the major factors when you brew your honeybush drink up and they are quality of honeybush, temperature of water, and steeping time. Just keep on reading and you will have all the information you need on how to brew honeybush perfectly every time.

How to brew HoneyBush

The first thing you will want to do is to start with great honeybush.

About 1 tsp per 8 oz of water should be enough, but experiment with how strong you like it and adjust the amount accordingly.

So you have great honeybush now and you need to get your clean water hot. The nice thing about honeybush is that tastes great with water at around 200°F or (93°C). As you can see it is pretty close to the boiling point of water, so just plug in your kettle or whatever you use to heat the water and just before it comes to a boil take it off the heat and combine it in your mug or teapot. If the water boils, no big deal just remove it from heat and give it a couple seconds to cool down.

Brew time for HoneyBush

So you have your honeybush, you have your perfectly heated clean water, and now you just need to let it steep. This will probably be the hardest part of all your honeybush journey as it requires patience. With honeybush, because it is not actually coming from the tea plant Camellia sinensis, you can let it steep for a lot longer than you would usually steep a traditional tea.

Due to its origins and makeup the honeybush brews generally don’t have the bitterness that comes when you steep tea for too long. O if you are looking for a steeping time, the general consensus is that between 5-10 minutes is best for honeybush. As you will notice there is a pretty big time frame for the perfect cup, so try it out at different times and see what you enjoy the most.

Conclusion

Honeybush is a great option if you are looking for a drink before bed as there is no caffeine in it, and it has a nice unique taste. So if you are looking for a new drink give it a try.

woman drinking with cup

What is herbal tea, and why it is not really tea.

November 1, 2022 /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Introduction to herbal Tisanes

A herbal tea is considered not a real tea. This is because a tea is considered real if it comes from the tea plant called camellia sinensis. In this case, herbal tea does not come from camellia sinensis. It originated from different leaves or roots of plants or simply anything except tea leaves. Herbal tea is also another term for tisanes. So to recap, basically anything that does not come from 1 plant is not a real tea :)

What makes a herbal tea?

There are several things to consider in making herbal tea. First is to prepare the needed leaves, flower, or roots of the desired plant for tea, water, and sugar or honey. One should also know the reason why you are looking to make herbal tea as each different type of brew will have different qualities to them. If the goal is for relaxation, chamomile must be added into the tea for maximum effect. Chamomile (matricaria recutita) contains oil that helps relax smooth muscles inside the stomach. For every cup of boiling water, add one tablespoon of chamomile flowers. For uplifting the mood, blend an herbal tea with mixtures of Spearmint, thyme, and lavender. To be able to sooth the body or specifically cold, try adding eucalyptus, ginger, licorice root, or cinnamon.

what is a tisane?

Thyme (thymus vulgaris) can also be be added into the tea. This helps relax the bronchial spasms that causes cough or cold. Just add two teaspoons of dried thyme in one cup of boiling water for ten minutes. This must be taken three times a day. It is also important to know the exact amount of ingredients to prepare an herbal tea. The standard time for boiling the tea is up to five to ten minutes. Do not opt for longer minutes because it will only bring out the bitterness of the ingredients specially the leaves. If there are leaves, roots, or flowers floating, better use a strainer.

Herbal Tisanes for pregnant women

For pregnant women, it could be good to drink two to three cups of herbal teas daily. However there are still herbal teas that are not good for their body such as sage tea and parsley tea. Sage tea is bad for pregnant woman because it contains a chemical called thujone which causes high blood pressure and lead to other negative issues. Some herbal mixes are good for pregnant women such as valerian, chamomile, and raspberry leaf tea. It is also advisable to drink chamomile tea because it helps pregnant women to relax before going to sleep. Raspberry leaf tea helps relax the muscles so it might be good for some pregnant women to drink this mix when nearing the end of their pregnancy.

loose leaf honeybush blend

What is Honeybush, and is there really a Honeybush tea?

October 27, 2022 /
Reading Time: 3 minutes

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Introduction

Many times people will go into a tea store and look for something new that they have never had before. Whether it be Chamomile tea, Rooibos tea, or Jasmine tea sometimes people go in looking for one thing and end up with something that is not really a tea. Although these “teas” can be found in tea stores they actually don’t come from the only plant that actually makes “real tea” They come from other plants, which in tern makes them a Tisane. What is a Tisane? you might ask. Don’t worry if you don’t know and just click that link and you will have your full answer.

What is HoneyBush Tea?

Now back to the original story,about what Honeybush tea is, and what it is not. Honeybush is not a tea as it is actually a tisane or herbal mix that you can brew. It is tasty, sweet, and a great tea alternative if you are looking to brew something new up. Keep on reading and you will find out exactly what honeybush is, some possible health uses for honeybush, as well as how to brew honeybush.

Honeybush tea is a common name Cyclopia, a flowering plant from the legume family. The leaves of this plant is commonly used to make herbal teas or tisane. It abundantly grows in the southeast and southwest parts of South Africa and is very similar to rooibos. The name honeybush was derived from its smell which is honey. It is similar to rooibos because it tastes like it but a little sweeter. Boil this up to five minutes to make a tea.

Types of Honeybush

There are five species of honeybush tea widely spread for home and commercial use. First is cyclopia intermedia commonly known as bergtee or mountain tea. This kind of specie is found nearly between Port Elizabeth and edge of Langkloof. Second is cyclopia subtenarta. This is commonly known as vleitee (marshland tea) and valleitee (valley tea). Next is cyclopia genistoides known as kustee or coastal tea. This can be found mainly in the Western Cape near Yserfontein and Darling. Fourth is cyclopia sessiliflora, named after Heidelberg town in South Africa since it grows abundantly in the local mountain range. This specie is commonly known as Heidelberg-tee. Lastly is cyclopia maculata which grows mainly in Outeniqua area near George.

HoneyBush tea benefits

Honeybush tea is a natural treatment for some health issues. It can prevent cold and allergies, is also high in antioxidants and vitamins, and can easily ease stomach pains. It contains nutrients such as iron, potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and sodium. Iron in honeybush is 0.3 mg in every 240 ml.It is responsible for transporting the oxygen in the blood. Potassium (0.01 mg in 240 ml) is responsible for the metabolic processing of the body. The one making the strong teeth and bones is the Calcium (0.01 in 240 ml). Just like Potassium, Copper (0.003 mg in every 240 ml) is also taking responsibility for the metabolic processes of the body. Zinc (0.015 mg for 240 ml) helps the body in keeping skin healthy and normal growth. The one responsible for keeping the nervous system healthy is Magnesium (0.002 mg for every 240 ml). Manganese (0.11 mg for 240 ml) is the one necessary for the bone growth and development as well as metabolic processes of the body. Lastly is the Sodium (1.5 mg in 240 ml) that is necessary for fluid and acid-base balance.

If you are looking to make a perfect cup of Honeybush up just click on this link: How to brew Honeybush tea

brown and red dried leaves on brown wooden box

Is It Safe to Drink Hibiscus during Pregnancy?

October 26, 2022 /
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hibiscus Tea Pregnancy |Hibiscus Tea Benefits

hibiscus tea is a large genus of flowering plants, primarily grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is used for a wide range of medicinal and edible purposes. It can even help you lose weight, known for lowering blood pressure, decreasing spasms in the stomach intestines and uterus, and also kills bacteria and germs.

In food and beverages Hibiscus is also used as flavoring: used for jams, sauces, spices and soups. It is also best for treating loss of appetite, hearts and nerve diseases, colds, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling. Moreover, hibiscus is widely used to relieve stomach irritation, maintains level body fluids, alleviates disorders of blood circulation, used for the dissolving of phlegm, works as a gentle laxative, as a diuretic, to increase urine output, and fights bad cholesterol.

It is not generally recommended to have hibiscus tea too much as too much of anything can be bad. So if you are wondering about your baby , and your health, please check with your doctor before you drink Hibiscus drinks ( or anything else that is of concern to you) We aren’t doctors and you should check with professionals before doing anything you are unsure of.

chai spices

Masala Chai Tea

October 26, 2022 /
Reading Time: 4 minutes

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Introduction

 Get Acquainted with Masala Chai

Most people have a common confusion in the word “chai”. They know that “chai” is composed of Indian spices like cinnamon and cardamom. But on the other hand, chai is an Indian word for just tea alone and it can be served with or without milk, sugar or other sweeteners. While the word “masala” is an Indian word that stands for “a blend of spices”. So plainly, Masala Chai means Spiced Tea and we have one amazing take on this tea here spicy chai tea .

full-filled tea mug
i love chai too

Masala chai tea is usually prepared by decoction, powdered mixes or in tea bags. Like other teas, Masala chai also gains popularity in many countries now and gets featured in many tea house and cafeteria all over the world. Masala Chai is an Indian drink, a combination of black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and other spices. Its fresh flavor and balmy fragrance tempts you to taste its one-of-a-kind cup of spiced ingredients.

The comforting aroma of Masala Chai makes itself to be on the favorite tea drinks list of people especially in India. Talking about its health benefits, surely Masala chai have a face to front with other regular teas we have encountered. Each of Masala Chai’s ingredients is used for medical purposes and can really give a numerous health advantages. One sad part of having Masala chai is that you need almost a tablespoon of sugar per cup to enhance the savor of the spices. Plus the factor that balancing the additional milk and honey can bring you some calories.

black tea with some spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and clove compose the Masala Chai. It is also mixed together with milk and honey to create a creamy and sweet tasting beverage. In other places, they usually used sugar instead of honey but few are likely to use dairy as an alternative like rice milk or soy milk. There is also a variation in utilizing milk ingredients. Some are choosing a higher amount of milk in their tea and others are in favor for a higher concentration of tea.

Chai Benefits

Black tea, which is the base of Masala Chai have been studied to be effective in lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure for it is rich in antioxidants. It is also proven that antioxidants are helpful to prevent heart diseases and cancers. However, chai is not a great choice for persons who are highly sensitive in caffeine. It can also be unsafe for people who have heartburn and ulcer.

Spices in Chai Tea

The different spices that makes up Masala chai are long been used as medicines for centuries and is verified to be healthy. Here is the list of the spices with its health benefits.

  1. Cinnamon – It is common refreshment and is used to cure cough, sore throats and arthritis.
  2. Cardamom – It aids indigestion and helps your nervous system to be calm.
  3. Clove – It is used as an energizing ingredients and can encourage good blood circulation.
  4. Ginger – It relieves cold, sore throat, stomachache and flu symptoms.
  5. Pepper – It upholds good digestion.

The use of milk and honey or sugar instead can also be beneficial for an individual’s health. Masala Chai cannot be as healthy as the ideal proper diet that many nutritionists have been recommending but it can surely be beneficial for everyone who are not only using it in medicinal purposes but also for those who are enjoying drinking it as a tasty beverage.

Our favorite chai

One of our recent additions is our tangy thai chai tea seen here:

Clear Glass Bowl Beside Yellow Flower

Rooibos facts

October 26, 2022 /
Reading Time: 4 minutes

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Introduction

Looking to learn more about rooibos? Then you have came to the right place. In this article you will find out more information on the new kid on the tea block as well as some of our suggestions. The first thing that we should get out of the way is how to say rooibos

and that is just like this: ROY Bus. Now that you know how to say the name lets take a look into what what is rooibos .

You might have wondered the relationship between rooibos and caffeine and here is the truth. There is no relationship, there is 0 caffeine in rooibos. Yes, you heard it right. Rooibos tea has no caffeine in it. And because it has no caffeine, it has its own benefits, especially for people with caffeine restrictions such as insomnia and even for young children. This means that you can enjoy drinking tea while you are pregnant , however it should be rooibos as there is no caffeine in it.

What is Rooibos?

Rooibos comes from the plant asphalatos linearis, specie of a shrub that grows in Cape Town, South Africa. And because it does not come from the tea plant, camella sinensis, this beverage does not contain the caffeine present in white, black, and green tea (which come from the same plant source). This, depending on how you look at it, could be one of rooibos health benefits or a disadvantage if you are looking for something to deliver some caffeine. Other herbal teas also have caffeine in them, but rooibos tea is unique in that it has no caffeine but still has antioxidants that are as potent as the antioxidants found in green tea. Again, this is a great aspect if you are looking for a tea substitute during pregnancy, as rooibos and pregnancy go hand and hand together.

Rooibos and caffeine

Caffeine has become essential in our daily lives, especially for working and studying adults, and athletes. We need caffeine to make us become physically and mentally alert. The recommended maximum daily intake of caffeine is 200 mg, equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee, 5 cups of black tea, and 6 cups of green tea. When our caffeine limit has been reached, unwanted side effects might kick in, such as insomnia, sleep disturbances, stomach irritation, frequent urination, and palpitations. That is why it is important for us to keep watch of our daily caffeine intake.

Rooibos tea is known to help alleviate insomnia and disturbed sleep patterns. Drinking a cup of rooibos tea before bedtime can help make you feel relaxed and can give you a good night’s sleep.

Traditionally, rooibos tea is used to treat infant colic. It can be safely taken by infants and young children. For adults, rooibos can help remedy constipation and common stomach problems such as nausea and vomiting.

Rooibos and pregnancy

Caffeine intake in pregnant women has been linked to miscarriages and abortion. When you are pregnant, you should be careful and be watchful on what you eat and drink. Because rooibos has no caffeine, it is safe for pregnant women. Moreover, it contains very low in tannins, chemicals that block the absorption of iron. Thus, iron can be readily absorbed by the body, especially for the pregnant woman who needs additional iron for her body and her baby.

Conclusion

Rooibos tea is unique in its own way. Even if it does not contain caffeine, it still does wonders to our body that no other beverage can give. If you have never tried it before, take a look at a couple of our favorites below, and before you brew some up be sure to read how to make rooibos as it will give you step by step instructions on how to make the perfect cup. 

herbal tisane
a nice cup of herbal tea

What is a Tisane

October 26, 2022 /
Reading Time: 2 minutes

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Introduction to Tisanes

If you are wondering what a Tisane is, or wonder why others get mad when you call Rooibos red tea, then just keep on reading :)

A Tisane is another term for herbal tea, a non-caffeinated beverage extracted from decoction or infusion of herbs, spices, or plants. This was derived from the Greek word ptisanē meaning crushed barley (a drink that is made from crushed pearl barley). Tisanes do not generally contain caffeine since it was not extracted from tea leaves. The components of tisanes are sometimes culinary herbs such as spearmint, sage, rosemary, and thyme. It can be served hot or cold since the effect is the still the same.

What are tisanes?

There are various type of tisanes: leaf tisanes, flower tisanes, bark tisanes, root tisanes, fruit/berry tisanes, and seed/spice tisanes. These may also serve as a medical benefit. Many are known to achieve goals such as to invigorate, calm nerves, relieve s head cold or sore throat, to treat cough, relax an upset stomach, and ease headache. With proper usage of tisanes, one can achieve its rightful effect however some substances contained in tisanes are subject to cause undesirable side effects so it is always good to ensure you know what you are brewing up. You should not just go and place random plants in hot water and drink it.

Full rundown of what a Tisane is

What are common Tisanes/ Herbal teas?

Common herbs used to create tisanes are: anise tea (made from seeds or leaves), asiatic penny-wort leaf (found in Southeast Asia), artichoke tea, bee balm, boldo, burdock, cannabis tea, caraway tea, catnip tea, chamomile tea (used as sedative), Che Dang (made from llex causue leaves), Chinese knot weed tea, chrysanthemum tea (dried fllowers), cinnamon, and mint.

If you are looking for some nice tisanes then just take a look at some of these nice options:

loose leaf rooibos
red rooibos

One of our favorite Rooibos blends .

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