Rooibos tea is a drink obtained from the infusion of the leaves of the plant Aspalathus linearis, chopped and fermented previously. Rich in proteins, mineral salts and vitamin C, rooibos tea is an excellent antioxidant . Let's find out better.
Rooibos tea, origin and cultivation
Rooibos tea comes from South Africa, it does not belong, like the other teas known to the Camelia Sinensis or Assamica families, it is rather a very particular plant.
The rooibos belongs to the legume family, it is a thick bush of twigs reminiscent of broom, cultivated in South Africa. The name " Rooibos " derives from Afrikans, the language spoken by the colonists from Holland, and means "red shrub" .
The branches and parts of the stem are harvested from February to April, along with the small red and brown leaves. Then everything is chopped into small pieces, crushed, wet with water and left to ferment for 8/24 hours.
During fermentation the typical fruity aroma and the typical mahogany color develops. Everything is then dried and eventually added with aromas (essential oils, mandarin, for example).
Rooibos tea, preparation
As with the different teas, rooibos tea can also be found in sachets or in leaf . It is prepared by boiling the water with a teaspoon of rooibos tea (count one heaped teaspoon per cup, if the leaves are used) and then filter; or boil the water first and pour it over the tea or sachet, leave to infuse for about three to four minutes and filter or remove the sachet.
The rooibos tea has a taste reminiscent of citrus fruits, fresh, fruity, sweetish, at times sour .
For this reason it is good even without being sweetened, cold or hot. Since it does not contain caffeine, it is suitable for all ages and can be drunk in large quantities, even during pregnancy.
Discover also the useful herbal teas for the end of winter
Rooibos tea, a couple of recipes
A recipe with tea? Yes, a pleasant and quick recipe for enjoying hot rooibos tea involves simply adding a slice of lemon and a teaspoon of acacia honey.
A "cold" rooibos tea recipe instead of boiling it with half a cinnamon stick, a couple of cloves, half a teaspoon of chopped hazelnuts and, once cooled, add the juice of 4 squeezed oranges: served cold is a exceptional drink!
It can also be prepared with other fruit juices (mango, apple, pink grapefruit), or by adding milk or even alcohol, with red wine and sparkling wine!
The rooibos tea, property
The fantastic properties of rooibos tea should not be forgotten at all: this is in fact a real infusion of well-being, a gift of nature, an elixir of youth. Rooibos tea contains proteins, mineral salts and a lot of vitamin C.
Specifically, when drinking a cup, take 0.07 mg of iron, 1.09 mg of calcium, 0.04 mg of zinc, 7.12 mg of potassium, 0.07 mg of copper, 1.57 mg of magnesium, 0.04 mg of manganese, 6.16 mg of sodium. Rooibos tea is practically a very rich antioxidant!
Curiosity : rooibos tea is also used in the kitchen: marinating chicken or roast for one night in rooibos tea will make it particularly tender and delicate!
