When you’re looking for a non-caffeinated alternative to black tea, Rooibos is the way to go.
Rooibos is actually a black tea from South Africa that is naturally non-caffeinated, and it has less tannins in it than black tea does, so it doesn’t stain your teeth in the same way black teas do.
Rooibos literally translated means “red bush” and it’s a plant that is broom-like, and in the legume family, believe it or not.
Today, I’m going to teach you How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Rooibos Tea in this post and the video below.
This type of tea is very high in anti-oxidants known for fighting cancer, aids in alleviating allergies even on the skin, breathing difficulties and so many more health ailments. It is also safe for nursing mothers to drink, and for people who are prone to getting kidney stones, like myself, because it contains no oxalic acid, which is a compound that forms some kidney stones.
With every tea I teach you how to brew, 3 things come into play: quality of the tea, brew temperature and brew time. I always use loose leaf Rooibos tea when brewing this type of tea, instead of teabags that are more processed and usually of a lower quality.
Rooibos can be brewed at full boiling temperature, meaning once your kettle boils, you can directly pour that water over the tea leaves without “scorching” them. Rooibos is not a delicate tea and can stand up to tougher techniques. The tea can be brewed for 5-8 minutes without causing it to be bitter.
You may serve it sweetened with honey or sugar, and milk, if desired.
Type: Tea Recipe
Serve With: sugar, honey, flavored sugars, milk (if desired)
Prep Time: 1 min
Steep/Brew Time: 6-8 mins
Yield: 8 oz cup (32 oz teapot, if desired)
* The ingredients & instructions are listed below the video for measurements & directions. Please enjoy the video below.
Ingredients:
- Rooibos tea – 1.5 tsp/8 oz. cup; ~ 6 tsp/4 cup teapot
- 8 oz. water/cup
- sugar – if desired
Instructions:
- Boil water and pour over loose leaf Rooibos tea that’s pre-measured, in a filter in either a cup or a teapot.
- Allow to steep for 5-8 mins; no longer or it will be bitter.
- Remove tea filter from cup or pot
- Enjoy your tea by itself or with sugar, flavored finishing sugars and/or milk.
This is a beautiful tea you should try…See if you like the flavor. It’s probably more of an acquired taste than many other teas, but it’s wonderful if you enjoy it, and it is very healthy for you too.
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I hope you enjoy this African Food post on Cooking with Kimberly. Until next time…
Eat Deliciously!
P.S. Grab yourself some great Organic Rooibos Tea to try for only $2!
Similar Posts:
- How to Brew Black Looseleaf Tea
- How to Brew the Perfect Cup of White Tea
- How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Oolong Tea
- How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Darjeeling Tea
- How to Make the Perfect Cup of Green Tea
June 30, 2013
Different varieties of Oolong are processed differently, but the leaves are formed into one of two distinct styles. Some are rolled into long curly leaves, while others are ‘wrap-curled’ into small beads, each with a tail. The former style is the more traditional of the two in China.
July 1, 2013
Thank you for that information, Gordon. I believe I covered that info in the show too.
Kimberly 😉