Ochadô

Julie

What Julie has to say about it

The first time I tasted this beverage, I was impressed by its smooth taste, almost sweet, and I became addicted to it really fast. Of course, I didn’t forgo my usual preferred teas but this discovery will have taken my full attention for a certain time.

I needed to explore this! Surprise, did you know rooibos is particularly popular in Europe, more specifically in Germany? A friend who works there recently told me he couldn’t get his hands on his usual Earl Grey in local groceries. It’s rooibos, rooibos, rooibos everywhere you look! Here it’s another story, more and more we hear about the virtues of green and white tea. But what about rooibos?

Even though rooibos isn’t tehnically tea, in South Africa it’s used for the same purposes. I can tell you I found the experience as interesting as when I drank my first matcha. Compared to other teas, rooibos is only starting to be know in North America where the focus was, not so long ago, mainly on this “new” discovery; white tea.

For those of you interested in its virtues, rooibos can rival with the traditionnal teas in terms of anti-oxydants. Just like white tea, rooibos is used in a lot of cosmetics because of its anti-oxydant properties. And the cafeine level is zero, if its not mixed with black tea, of course. The presence of tannic acid is immaterial and… it has no diuretic property like tea so if you’re tired of herbal infusions, a nice, tasty rooibos will certainly give your tongue something else to think about. It’s also a very soothing beverage that can help you relax. Hmmm… a nice bath, a cup of rooibos and then, sleepy time!

A lot of people mistakenly call this brew “red tea” but there is already a red tea in China and in India and you should be careful when searching for rooibos not to buy red tea. I was also lucky when I sipped my first cup as it was a flavored rooibos and personally, I still haven’t got the hang of natural rooibos.

Health benefits and well being aren’t really what inspires me in a good infusion. It’s more the total experience that I’m looking for. I don’t just drink tea or other kinds of beverage; I savour its richness, its exhilirating aroma, its warmness, its appeasing color and this promise that all our senses will be pleasantly struck. This harmony in a teacup that can be appeasing, energetic or even sensuous. This is what I expect and rooibos so far hasn’t disappointed!

There now, my cup is empty… I’ll need to refill it with a nice Rooibos Serengeti ;o)