Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Latest News
    • Imagine Dragons Announce 2023 SA Tour Dates
    • Dan Mace discovers incredible musical duo
    • Phil Gregory Releases New EP: “22” – Not Out
    • Daniel Baron Releases Powerful Emotional Ballad: “Roses”
    • OneRepublic Announces 2022 South African Tour Dates
    • Van Der Aven Reik Eerste Afrikaanse snit “Heimwee” Uit
    • SAMA28 Nominees Announced
    • The Incidentals release debut single: “Trippin’ on Tar”
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS TikTok
    Home
    • Categories
      • Entertainment
      • Facts
      • General News
      • Hacks
      • Opinion
      • Photography
      • Quotes
      • Technology
    • Pages
      • Interesting Music Facts
      • Music Events
      • South African Artists & Bands
      • South African Live Music Events, Venues & Festivals
      • Submit Music Facts
      • Submit Music Festival Stories
    • Featured
    • Contact Us
    • Privacy Policy
    Subscribe
    Running Wolf's Rant
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    Home»Facts»Rooibos: 10 Facts You Might Not Have Known

    Rooibos: 10 Facts You Might Not Have Known

    Henno KrugerBy Henno KrugerSep 23, 2019 Facts Featured 4 Mins Read65 Views
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Email Telegram WhatsApp

    Rooibos Tea is one of South Africa’s most valued natural treasures, but besides being a healthy homegrown tea, how much do you really know about it?

    This Heritage Month, the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) has embarked on a campaign to create greater public awareness of Rooibos. The campaign answers questions like “Where does Rooibos come from?”, “What makes Rooibos so unique?” and “How to become a true Rooibos connoisseur?”.

    Here are 10 Rooibos Tea facts that you might not have known:

    1. The Rooibus bush is covered in tiny yellow flowers

    1. This happens every spring. After pollination a seedpod is formed with a single seed inside.

    Rooibos Bush

    2. Rooibos Seeds are tiny

    Seeds are sown between February and March each year. It takes roughly about 18 months before the bush can be harvested for the first time.

    Rooibos Seeds

    3. Rooibos really only grows in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape province in South Africa

    It’s NOT a myth. Farmers have tried to grow it elsewhere in the world, but the climate, soil and conditions just aren’t conducive. It’s almost like nature intended it that way.

    Rooibos in Cederberg

    4. The purity of Rooibos Tea is a tightly controlled process

    From the time the crop is harvested to when it is pasteurised, various tests are conducted to guarantee that every single cup (no matter which brand you drink) is 100% pure.

    5. Once the Rooibos crop has been harvested, it is cut to lengths of between 1.5mm and 5mm

    The cuttings are bruised and moistened to 60%. After this fermentation takes place for 8 to 12 hours at a temperature of between 34°C – 38°C.

    During this process the characteristic aroma and red colour develops. Rooibos is then spread thinly on concrete drying yards to dry. Once this process is complete, the tea is sorted and graded by length, colour, flavour and taste before being pasteurised by steam.

    6. There are several different Rooibos grades

    The ‘superior long cut’ is ideal for blending with pieces of fruit and flowers. An ‘extra fine cut’ lends itself for use in confectionary and espressos. A ‘super cut’ is mostly used in a standard Rooibos tea bag. This makes the tea softer in taste and helps to release more active substances in the cup.

    7. Each cup of Rooibos tea is packed with healthy flavonoids

    This includes aspalathin – a powerful antioxidant unique to the plant. Rooibos is also caffeine-free, low in tannins and contains no fat or proteins. This means that it’s kilojoule-free. Up to six cups can be enjoyed daily.

    Rooibos Tea in a Cup

    8. Rooibos grows up to 1.5m in height

    The Rooibos bush has thin branches that carry bright green, needle-like leaves. Like the people of South Africa, Rooibos is a hardy shrub that can survive the toughest of conditions.

    9.  In 2014, Rooibos received geographical indicator (GI) status

    This means that tea can only be called Rooibos if it comes from a defined area in the Cederberg and surrounds. It’s a proudly South African product, which is exported to more than 30 countries across the globe.

    10. This year, Rooibos tea celebrates its 115th anniversary as a branded product

    The first Rooibos brand was launched by Benjamin Ginsberg from his general dealer shop in Clanwilliam and is still sold today.

    Nicie Vorster, spokesperson for the SARC says for generations, Rooibos tea has been a favourite among South Africans and remains an important economic resource for the country.

    As a way to preserve the culture and heritage of Rooibos, he encourages everyone to become more intimately acquainted with Rooibos this Heritage Month by making a point of visiting the Cederberg – the heartland of Rooibos – where it’s history and culture really come to life! To learn more about Rooibos this Heritage Month, visit this link.

    Watch this space for updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.

    Get updates via email
    Anniversary Rooibos South Africa
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleThe Possible Impact of Brexit on the Music Industry
    Next Article 10 WordPress Plugins that will enhance your website ranking
    Henno Kruger

    Blogger, Desktop Activist, Twitter / Facebook Addict, Music Festival Addict, Avid lover of South African music, Founder and owner of Running Wolf's Rant

    Related Posts

    Valentine’s Day: 20 Facts You Might Not Have Known

    Feb 8, 20215 Mins Read5 Views

    Rooibos’ role in managing diabetes is becoming more prominent

    Nov 4, 20204 Mins Read

    7 whiskey facts that nobody will tell you

    Feb 9, 20196 Mins Read34 Views

    South Africa at the Olympic Games: 10 Facts You Might Not Know

    Jan 31, 20193 Mins Read76 Views

    UK smitten with Starbucks’ New Smash Hit: Rooibos Latte

    May 9, 20183 Mins Read17 Views

    Rooibos does SA proud and makes it into Marvel Comics!

    Mar 5, 20182 Mins Read22 Views

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You Might Like

    Photo Album: Hatfield Carnival 2011

    Feb 16, 201141 Views

    My Resensie van Innibos Laeveld Nasionale Kunstefees 2018

    Jul 3, 201846 Views

    ‘n Onderhoud met Janie Bay

    Dec 6, 2021

    My 2 Cents on RAMFest 2014 Johannesburg

    Mar 12, 20148 Views

    Hotbox Studios: Memories, legends and stories

    Nov 6, 201735 Views
    Subscribe
    Get updates via email
    You Might Also Like

    Little Tricks for Brides To Organize a Stress-Free Wedding

    Nov 20, 2021

    4 Essential Tools For Music Production

    Feb 16, 20216 Views

    Facts you need to know about the importance of MyMathLab

    Feb 25, 202014 Views

    New Zealand: 10 Facts You Might Not Know

    Aug 25, 201039 Views

    My recipe for a quick braai for under R200 for 4 people

    May 7, 201556 Views
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    About Running Wolf’s Rant
    About Running Wolf's Rant

    Running Wolf's Rant has been covering the South African Music Scene and featuring interesting, funny and engaging content since 2008.

    Feel free to explore the various sections and categories. We hope that you find something howling good while you're exploring. Please share posts that you find interesting with your friends on Social Media. Share buttons are provided.

    Featured Posts

    21 Hilarious Bernie Sanders Memes (2021 Inauguration Edition)

    Jan 22, 202115 Views

    101 Motivational Quotes That Will Inspire You

    Jun 4, 2020306 Views

    2011: My 2 Cents on A Magnificent Year

    Jan 2, 201225 Views
    Recent Posts

    What are the Best Trails in Australia?

    Jun 29, 20229 Views

    Imagine Dragons Announce 2023 SA Tour Dates

    Jun 29, 20223,420 Views

    Dan Mace discovers incredible musical duo

    Jun 27, 202228 Views
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube RSS
    © 2022 Running Wolf's Rant. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.