Rooibos Tea With Honey: South Africa's Caffeine-Free Red Tea

What rooibos is

Rooibos comes from the Aspalathus linearis shrub, which grows in the mountains of South Africa's Western Cape. The needle-like leaves are harvested, bruised and oxidized, turning a deep red-brown and developing a sweet, earthy flavor. Unoxidized green rooibos is also available, with a lighter, grassier taste.

Medical News Today's overview of rooibos notes that it is naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins compared with black tea.

Why rooibos and honey work

Rooibos already tastes slightly sweet, with notes of vanilla, caramel and nuts. Honey enhances those notes without masking them. Because rooibos is low in tannins, it is less astringent than black tea, so it needs less sweetener to taste smooth.

How to brew rooibos tea with honey

Use one teaspoon of loose rooibos or one tea bag per cup. Pour over freshly boiled water and steep for five to seven minutes. Rooibos does not become bitter with longer steeping, so you can leave it longer for a stronger cup. Strain, cool slightly and stir in honey.

• 1 teaspoon rooibos or 1 bag
• Freshly boiled water
• Steep 5 to 7 minutes or longer
• Strain
• Add 1 teaspoon honey

Rooibos latte with honey

Brew a strong cup of rooibos with two teaspoons of leaves in half a cup of water. Heat and froth half a cup of milk. Combine, then sweeten with honey and a pinch of cinnamon. In South Africa, this is sometimes called a red cappuccino.

Iced rooibos with honey

Brew a strong pot, stir in honey while warm, and chill. Serve over ice with orange slices, mint or a splash of peach juice. Our article on honey iced tea has more ideas.

Spiced rooibos chai

Simmer rooibos with cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves, add milk, and sweeten with honey. It makes a caffeine-free chai that is lovely in the evening. Our article on honey and cardamom covers that spice.

Which honey suits rooibos

Here are some pairings to try:

Rooibos for families

Because rooibos is caffeine-free and mild, many families serve it to children. Children over 12 months can have a little honey in their rooibos. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, as the CDC advises.

Green rooibos

Green rooibos is unoxidized, so it is lighter in color and has a fresher, slightly grassy taste. Brew it a little cooler, around 195°F, and pair it with light floral honey.

Cooking with rooibos

Strong rooibos tea can be used to poach fruit, soak dried fruit for baking, or flavor custards and ice cream. A rooibos and honey syrup is delicious on pancakes.

Buying and storing rooibos

Look for rooibos labeled as from South Africa, ideally the Cederberg region. Store in an airtight container away from light and moisture. It keeps well for a year or more.

A little nutrition context

Plain rooibos has virtually no calories. Honey adds about 21 calories per teaspoon. If you drink several cups a day, consider adding less honey as your taste adjusts.

The takeaway

Rooibos tea with honey is a smooth, caffeine-free cup for any time of day. Steep it long, add honey to taste, and try it as a latte, iced tea or spiced chai.

Rooibos tea with honey and vanilla

Rooibos already has gentle vanilla notes. Add a small piece of split vanilla bean to the pot, or a drop of pure vanilla extract to your cup, and sweeten with honey. With a splash of warm milk, it tastes like dessert without being heavy, which makes it a popular evening drink.

This version is also lovely iced with a few orange slices.

Rooibos tea with honey and lemon

A wedge of lemon brightens rooibos and keeps it light. Add the lemon after steeping, then stir in honey. Our honey lemon water guide explains why it is best to add honey to warm rather than boiling water if you want to keep its delicate aroma.

How rooibos is grown and harvested

Rooibos plants grow in sandy, acidic soils in the Cederberg mountains, where hot, dry summers and wet winters suit the shrub. Farmers cut the branches in summer, chop them, bruise them to start oxidation and leave them in heaps before spreading them to dry in the sun. That process creates the red color and sweet taste.

Rooibos has a protected geographical indication, so true rooibos must come from this region.

Find your rooibos honey

Try Raw Wildflower Honey, harvested in New York State, or Raw Orange Blossom Honey from Florida with your next pot. Our Pure Raw Honey Sampler lets you test four. Orders over $50 ship free from our shop.