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Rooibos is an African red bush that is used for making the herbal tea which is popularly known as red tea. Unlike black, green and white teas, red tea is not made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis. Rooibos originates in South Africa, but the tea made from this plant is very popular in a great number of countries, at the moment. As a matter of fact, Rooibos is only cultivated in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Even though Rooibos leaves must go through oxidation in order to be used for tea, it is wrong to refer to this process as fermentation. Oxidized leaves become reddish-brown in color and have an improved flavor. Unoxidized leaves, which are referred as "green" Rooibos, can also be used for making tea, but the production techniques are more complex, and as a result, the tea ends up being more expensive. The production of green Rooibos resembles the one of green tea. It must be noted that green Rooibos has a different flavor from the red variety. More precisely, it can be best described as malty and a tad grassy. One of the main reasons why Rooibos enjoys such a great popularity in Western countries is represented by its numerous potential health effects. The leaves include in their composition significant amounts of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin. More than that, it does not include caffeine, so Rooiboos is highly recommended for people that avoid green and black tea because of this particular reason. The tannin levels are also low, and this makes Rooibos a great alternative to unoxidized green tea and fully oxidized black tea. Phenolic compounds such as flavonols, flavanones, flavones and dihydrochalcones abound in Rooibos. Presumably, red tea can be used for treating allergic reactions, digestive problems and nervous tension. According to the traditional South African medicine, Rooibos can also be used for improving the symptoms of infantile colic, asthma and problems of the skin. In its homeland, Rooibos is served without milk. Slices of lemon and honey or sugar may be added, but Rooibos tea is sweet by its nature, so sweetening it depends only on your taste. The flavor of red tea is not only sweet, but also a bit nutty. The preparation techniques are not different between Rooibos and black tea. Variations to coffee drinks made from Rooibos are also popular in South Africa. Some examples include red espresso, red lattes and red cappuccinos. Making iced tea from Rooibos is an excellent idea, too. Source: Rooibos Tea at Chi of Tea Loose Leaf Tea Tea Shop
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rooibos tea, loose leaf tea, red tea, tea,
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