Rooibos Red Tea – Benefits Of Rooibos Red Tea
What is it? Red Tea, which is also called Rooibos (in reference to the plant that it comes from), is a common South African tea. It is made from the oxidized and dried leaves of the “Aspalathis linearis” plant. The rooibos plant is grown in a region of South Africa, and in the summer, the leaves are gathered, lightly beaten, and given a chance to oxidize. This process produces the red color. Many Africans have used this tea for everything from inducing sleep in adults, to comforting upset guests, to cure babies with colic. This tea is known to have plenty of antioxidants, which helps the body combat disease-causing free-radicals.
Health Benefits of Rooibos/Red Tea
• High flavonoid content
• Low tannin content which is great for persons with digestive problems. This can be significant for those with marginal iron intake
• Caffeine-free
• Protects against cardiovascular disease
• Preventing diabetic vascular complications
• High level of polyphenolic antioxidants
• Soothes intestinal/colon & digestive issues
Rooibos Grades
Rooibos tea has a variety of grades. The grades are associated with how much of the leaf is in the tea compared to the amount of the stem. With this tea, the more leaves, the merrier! A higher leaf content produces a darker, richer, tea.
How to Prepare Red Tea
You can prepare this tea in the same way as you would black tea. And the great part about this tea is the fact that it has no caffeine. Another great characteristic of this tea is the fact that it doesn’t turn out to be bitter when it’s steeped for a long time. The flavor of the tea is mildly sweet and earthy. It can be sweetened to taste without affecting the benefits of the tea. You can even prepare iced tea, if you’re looking for an alternative to sodas or sugary drinks. Please note however, that Red Tea is not the kind of tea that you are able to steep over & over again. Now that you know a bit about this African favorite, why not try some today?
