What Does Rooibos Taste Like?

Last Updated on July 5, 2022 by Scott

In this article we explore all the various things to know about Rooibos. And, we’ll start with one of the most common questions: What does rooibos tea taste like?

Rooibos boasts a light, earthy tone and a natural sweetness that is instantly recognizable. But no two blends are the same — from green rooibos to the traditional red formula; there’s a whole world of rooibos waiting for you to discover.

Let’s dive further into this tea to give you a comprehensive overview of the history, the taste, and even the benefits of rooibos.

Rooibos Tea: An Overview

Hundreds of years ago, indigenous Bushmen harvested rooibos leaves to use in remedies to treat all kinds of illnesses. Drinkers loved the taste of the medicine, but as the Bushmen tribes faded out, so did people’s knowledge of rooibos.

But then 1772 hit, and Carl Humberg, a botanist, discovered the leaves and reignited the passion for rooibos. He spread the awareness further than before. But it wasn’t until 1904, when a Russian immigrant with brewing and manufacturing connections started marketing the drink, that it became globally popular.

What Does Rooibos Taste Like? A Flavor Profile

Now, let’s dig in and consider how to best answer the question — what does rooibos taste like?

Despite the intense red color sported by rooibos when brewed, the flavor isn’t like black tea. It has two overriding flavors with very subtle notes.

The standard rooibos blend has a natural sweetness that’s instantly recognizable, alongside light, earthy notes. It’s often known as the marmite of the tea world — you either love it or hate it. When brewed for longer period of time, the taste becomes very full-bodied with a heavy woody flavor. Rooibos is also naturally sweet, which means many people find that they don’t need to sweeten with sugar cubes.

However, green rooibos (a variation of the traditional blend) is a far more delicate brew. It’s almost vegetal and lightly resembles green tea.

The Top 5 Benefits of Rooibos Tea

Rooibos boasts plenty of benefits. But you can find the top 5 most important below:

#1 Improves Digestion

Illnesses like acids reflux, Celiac disease, and long-term upset stomachs are increasing every year. While many digestive issues are linked to unhealthy eating patterns and processed foods, rooibos tea has the potential to soothe your digestive tract.

The antispasmodic nutrients found in the tea prevent stomach cramps, as proved by a study found in the Basic Clinical Pharmacology Toxicology Journal. The same paper revealed the tannins found in rooibos tea also help reduce diarrhea.

#2 Enhances Skin Appearance

Alpha hydroxy acid, a component of rooibos tea, is a primary element of dermatologists’ skincare treatments. However, it’s not very common in edible substances, making rooibos tea unique.

A clinical study performed over 28 days discovered rooibos drinkers benefitted from a 10% improvement in fine lines and wrinkles. It’s suggested the tea’s soothing effect reduces redness and irritation to achieve an even skin tone. Scientists say the zinc found inside can help heal common skin conditions too.

#3 Builds Strong, Healthy Bones

Rooibos tea contains fluoride, calcium, and manganese, which help build bone mass by boosting osteoblast cells’ activity. But truth be told, many teas have these properties. It’s the two extra elements in rooibos that make it unique — orientin and luteolin.

Both flavonoids have the potential to heighten your bones’ mineral content.

#4 Helps Alleviate Pain

The antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties found inside rooibos tea work to reduce inflammation in your body, thereby decreasing pain. If you have arthritis, it may help relieve your joint pain. Additionally, by activating potassium ions in your body, the antispasmodic compounds can relax your abdominal muscles, decreasing stomach aches too.

Rooibos boasts a high content of vitamin C, which repairs joints’ connective tissue and amplifies collagen.

#5 Supports Weight Loss

Similar to black and green tea, rooibos is a wonderful beverage that doesn’t fill you with calories. Every cup contains just two to four calories, so you need not worry about your diet to enjoy it.

However, adding sweetness, sugar, or honey will increase the calories per cup. Just be mindful about this if your primary health and fitness goal is to lose weight. And, as always, this is not meant as health advise so be sure to check with your medical doctor if you have any specific questions or concerns about drinking rooibos tea.

How to Prepare Rooibos Tea

• Boil water. We recommend using a kettle with temperature settings. If you can, set the kettle to 208 degrees Fahrenheit and use filtered water when possible.
• Pour hot water into a teapot, filling it halfway.
• Swirl the water around.
• Discard. Warming the teapot isn’t something everybody does, but it enhances your drinking experience.
• Put the desired amount of rooibos into the teapot.
• Add hot water.
• Cover the teapot.
• Leave to steep for five minutes.
• Strain the rooibos and pour the tea into a cup.
• Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Rooibos

Q. What does rooibos smell like?

A. The scent of rooibos is very similar to it’s taste, with many of the same profiles. Although, the smell typically has a stronger presence of sweetness, including notes of vanilla or slight chocolate. The aroma is often described as complex, but with noticeable woody and fresh characteristics.

Q. Can you mix rooibos with milk or cream?

A. Rooibos tea can be enjoyed with or without milk. Many people love rooibos because it’s caffeine free a good alternative to traditional black teas with milk or cream.

Q. Can I drink rooibos every day?

A. Rooibos is packed with many antioxidant properties and drinking it every day has benefits. As with any beverage consumption, moderation is always a good idea. It will not cause any harm unless you have known allergies or are directed otherwise by a medical professional.

Q. Does rooibos stain my teeth?

A. Since rooibos is a tisane, not a tea, it doesn’t contain many of the ingredients that regular teas have that can lead to teeth staining. In fact, rooibos is a good alternative to coffee or black teas because of its lower potential to cause stains.

Final Thoughts

Rooibos tea is a wonderful alternative to coffee or traditional tea, which contains many antioxidants and made from the leaves of a South African shrub. With the blend variety, you’re bound to find a rooibos tea that suits you and your preferred tastes.