Rooibos tea: what is it, what is it made of, the composition of the drink and the properties of the plant

Author: Julia Kopylova , tea expert.

The culture of African countries, despite a noticeable lag in terms of technological progress, has always been of interest to Europeans.

First & ndash; due to its unique nature, significantly less affected by artificial changes and the harmful effects of urbanization, and therefore offering a rich range of flora and fauna.

Vegetation that develops in unusual climates is valued by natives for its many beneficial properties & ndash; it is not surprising that the most notable copies were also in demand outside the continent.

One example is the famous tea from South Africa: locals claim that rooibos & ndash; it is a source of strength and longevity. Is this true, and what benefits does drinking actually bring? Let's figure it out.

Overview

To get started, & ndash; a little help.

The shrub from which roybos is made is called linear aspalatus, part of the legume family, and grows mainly on plantations located on the slopes of the Cederberg massif (South Africa).

The leaves of the plant visually resemble pine needles, and, along with shoots, are used as a raw material for making green and red rooibos tea.

The history of the strengthening and tonic agent goes back to ancient times & ndash; experts say that the beneficial qualities of Aspalathus linearis were still appreciated by the indigenous inhabitants of the African south, who attributed special strength to unusual sheets.

According to the already established tradition, Dutch traders became the first representatives of the Old World to learn about a drink from the roybos plant, the properties of which provided a positive effect.

However, he reached them only by the beginning of the 18th century & ndash; shortly before the local culture was adopted by colonists who moved from the UK, who chose Cape Town as their permanent residence.

But in Europe itself, what kind of tea it is, rooibos, fully became known already in the 20th century. However, this did not prevent him from gaining popularity comparable to the elite varieties of China, India and Kenya.

Translation difficulties

The African language for foreigners seems quite difficult in terms of perception & ndash; especially in cases where the specific pronunciation of visitors is superimposed on established local terms.

So it happened with our today's hero, whose name was adapted to the specifics of the British dialect.

Talking about how to pronounce & ndash; roybos or rooibos & ndash; it is worth noting that for Afrikaans ( one of the official languages ​ ​ of the Republic of South Africa) the spelling rooibos is characteristic, and, as a result, the second version of transcription.

First version & ndash; a consequence of the peculiarities of English pronunciation, which can make even words of original origin less pleasant for hearing.

Appearance and taste

The original classification is divided into two types, green (steamed and dried) and red (fermented), but in practice a much wider range of variations is available.

And there are also differences in the size of the cups & ndash; long-needle rooibos and cut, visually having shorter segments are distinguished.

Returning to the classics, it is worth noting that green rooibos tea is in less demand & ndash; due to poor taste.

The use of additives allows you to saturate the color, improve the aroma, and make the infusion more characteristic, bringing it closer to & nbsp; fermented red version .

In order to diversify the taste tones of the drink, it has become popular to include berries, pieces of fruits and herbs in the composition. Thanks to this, the taste compositions have expanded significantly.

So, for example, in the online store & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; You can buy:

• Strawberry roybos , which has a pronounced berry aroma and rich taste, as well as a noble sweetness that will appeal to both adults and children.
• Nefertiti Morning & nbsp; & ndash; a composition that combines pieces of pineapple, passion fruit and papaya, as well as pink petals, raspberries and raisins, which guarantees a unique taste experience.
• A banana rooibosh with a pleasant finish and a bright bouquet that intertwines notes of grassy, woody and nutty odors.

Processing Techniques

The differences between the varieties boil down to the methods of processing leaves, stems and shoots, as well as the types of fillers added to the basic raw materials.

Grinding and fermentation results in a material that is further dried and fermented, providing a bright shade of amber after brewing.

This approach is appreciated by Africans for the tonic properties and strength of the finished drink, which is not inferior to coffee.

To make green tea, the needles of the rooibos shrub are kneaded and steamed, resulting in a golden grassy infusion with a small strength.

Interestingly, in addition to the standard options, as well as a variety of mixtures with flavoring components, there is another method of final processing.

So, South African Karl Pretorius registered a patent for the original preparation of & ndash; in a coffee machine for traditional espresso. The finished product is similar to coffee, up to foam cream on the surface, and, thanks to improved extraction during grinding, is quite strong.

If desired, you can make other versions of coffee cocktails, such as lattes, cappuccinos, or mocha.

Chemistry and calories

The contents of one cup of rooibos tea drink up to 200 ml contain an impressive amount of trace elements useful for humans, such as potassium, sodium, iron, calcium, etc.

In a hundred grams of brewing, there are only 16 kilocalories, from 0.8 to 1.5 g of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, as well as a number of antioxidants and vitamins A and C. & nbsp;

At the same time, the finished infusion does not include caffeine and is characterized by a low content of tannin (with the exception of crushed raw materials prepared for espresso), which excludes its harm to people who, for some reason, are contraindicated in strong coffee.

Useful properties

One of the positive effects of rooibos tea, a detailed description of the types of which you can always find on the website & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo;, note a mild effect on the body.

The drink does not provoke insomnia and does not cause dehydration, which excludes time or volume of consumption. In addition, typical benefits include:

• Flavonoids similar to antioxidants.
• Antiseptic and antispasmodic effects.
• Normalization of liver and stomach functions, stabilization of blood pressure.
• Calming effect on the nervous system and relaxing effect.
• Antihistamines for asthma and allergy.

In addition, a high proportion of potassium and calcium content & ndash; an important factor for those who are actively engaged in physical education. Two cups of tea a day is enough to get the minimum required dose of vitamin C, and three & ndash; to meet calcium and fluoride requirements.

What makes a rooibos good for women

The positive effect of the drink on the female body is manifested as follows:

• The presence of active antioxidants slows down the rate of natural aging.
• A significant amount of iron has a beneficial effect on the cycle, which leads to a recommendation for use in both anemia and early pregnancy.
• Brewed infusion with bactericidal and antiseptic properties is also suitable for washing, positively affecting problem areas of the skin.

Also, do not forget that a drink such as rooibos tea & ndash; it is also a natural sedative that helps with sleep disorders and irritability, and helps to strengthen the nervous system.

For men

From a male point of view, in addition to the already mentioned effectiveness for those who regularly face serious physical exertion, there is another obvious plus.

The grass from which phytochai is made contains elements that protect the body from the influence of free radicals. As a consequence, & ndash; strengthening potency, and improving the functionality of the sexual system.

For children and the elderly

Beneficial micronutrients such as zinc, potassium, and fluoride have beneficial effects on development.

In the phase of active growth of the child, the need for vitamins increases significantly, and they can be obtained not only from vegetables and fruits, but also from tea.

For adults, in turn, the normalization of the metabolic and central nervous systems, as well as the general improvement of well-being & ndash; without risk of pressure increase with regular consumption.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

During these periods, the use of the varieties in question is absolutely safe. Considering what rooibos tea consists of and what kind of plant it is, one can only expect an improvement in mood, which is a consequence of a positive effect on the CNS.

Why the drink is recommended for pregnant women during lactation

It is also worth noting that in some cases, experts not only do not limit the intake of certain products, but also recommend them.

The value of rooibos in this situation is determined by useful elements and components of natural origin, the assimilation of which, due to the minimal content of tannin, is much faster. & nbsp;

It is important to keep in mind that before purchasing a particular variety, you should familiarize yourself with the list of ingredients and additives & ndash; some may be individual contraindications.

Best & ndash; get expert advice in advance, and make a choice based on a professional recommendation.

Benefits of rooibos in diabetes

There are few natural sources of antioxidant aspalatin with anti-diabetic effects.

Regular consumption of pure tea, in the presence of diagnosed chronic pathology, helps to restore the natural sugar content, and also allows to reduce resistance to insulin.

In addition, the predominance in the diet can be considered a preventive measure that reduces the likelihood of developing the disease.

Roybus for weight loss

It should be said right away that without additional diets and well-organized physical activity, it is impossible to lose weight using rooibos, or any other drink.

Weight loss & ndash; a complex and complex procedure that requires effort and diligence.

At the same time, it should be noted that the regular preference of tea for other types of drinking can solve a number of problems characteristic of this cycle. So, for example, the recommendations of nutritionists are based on the following factors:

• Fruit and caramel flavors reduce sweet cravings.
• Infusion is low in calories.
• There is a feeling of satiety after consumption.
• Tea drink provides a mild diuretic effect.

Of course, if each cup of roybos is accompanied by croissants or buns & ndash; the result will be negative. However, the combination of the right program and healthy tea can help achieve the desired effect.

Traditional Medicine

The properties of the infusion obtained from traditional brewing show themselves positively in a variety of situations.

Treatment baths

Regular stress, neurosis development and mental overload & ndash; reason to add rooibos during water treatments, since the aroma of African grass calmly affects the state of the excited nervous system.

For prevention

Inclusion in a permanent diet with a frequency of at least three times a day increases the body's resistance to viral diseases and infections. The effect is due to the stabilization of the immune system, which receives the necessary nutrition.

From skin inflammation

Acne, acne, eczema and dermatitis & ndash; problems to be solved. A strong infusion aged in boiling water for up to five minutes in a row helps to remove skin irritation. Considering what rooibos African herbal tea is made of, its composition and properties, it is not surprising that lotions neutralize the inflamed area and remove redness.

In case of swelling

A periodic bath of rooibos leaves helps prevent swelling and relieve stress and fatigue after a hard day's work.

For colds

Green teas, although less popular with taste connoisseurs, contain more antioxidants.

In combination with bactericidal elements, trace elements help to cleanse the respiratory tract from the accumulation of sputum, and relieve inflammation of the mucous tissues of the throat, which provokes coughing attacks.

Cosmetic Applications

The high concentration of essential oils in the leaves of rooibos determines the demand for infusion in cosmetic procedures & ndash; as a rinse for washing, impregnation for lotions and compresses, an element of masks, as well as a fragrance for relaxing baths.

How to make tea properly

We have prepared a video with detailed recommendations:

The method of brewing rooibos does not require special dishes, but many experts recommend refraining from using clay containers, since they absorb part of the aroma.

The simplest option & ndash; brewing in ceramic or glassware: thermos, mug or regular kettle.

It is recommended to follow the traditional proportions: 1 teaspoon per 200 ml of water brought to a temperature of 90/95C.

In order for it to infuse, we withstand the brew for at least 4-5 minutes. The infused rooibos is strained, resulting in a drink with a pronounced aroma and a ruby ​ ​ or amber tint.

What you can add

You can diversify the taste of classic tea with milk, cinnamon, lemon or vanilla. In addition, there are always flavored varieties on sale, which contain a variety of components & ndash; starting with pineapple and strawberries, and ending with bananas and rose petals.

Or use ready-made recipes with berries and herbs developed by specialists of the Russian Tea Company.

For example, all children like & laquo; Banana rooibos & raquo; with real pieces of banana and pineapple, but women prefer & laquo; Strawberry & raquo; or & laquo; Blueberry Glade & raquo;.

Possible contraindications

Phytochay rooibos, due to its natural origin, does not cause any harm to the human body, and does not provide restrictions on age or other indicators.

The only exceptions are cases of individual intolerance to the elements of the drink.

How to select and store products

Among the criteria that serve as a guideline when purchasing a real rooibos are:

• Leaf lightness and friability.
• Richness and evenness of brew color.
• There is a subtle smell of hay.
• Visual similarity to sawdust.

It is recommended to use a ceramic container in a dry and dark place for storage.

Let's summarize

The unique taste and benefits of the herbs used to make rooibos tea have made it popular all over the world. Regular consumption of a natural drink from Africa helps restore both physical and mental balance, and is recommended for anyone who cares about their health.