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Herbal (tisane) · Red bush

Rooibos

Aspalathus linearis

8.7/10 editor's score

A caffeine-free tisane from a South African shrub. Fermented (oxidised) red rooibos is sweet, woody and smooth, and takes milk well.

Caffeine-freeTakes milkTisane
↓ Jump to brew guideAbout this herbCompare

Tisane, not from Camellia sinensis. Based on published sources, not yet tasted.

Dry rooibos, top-down

What you need

2.5 g rooibosRooibos
250 ml water100°C
Steep 5:002 steeps
InfusionClear red-amber
Served inMug or cup

At a glance

A caffeine-free tisane from a South African shrub.

CaffeineCaffeine-free
Beginner fit9.5 / 10From the editor's score
HarvestJanuary to April (summer to autumn)Branches are cut in summer and autumn.
Pairs withScones, Carrot cake, Fruit, Milk and honeyLess good with very bitter foods
Grown asA wild and farmed shrub of the fynbosCederberg, Western Cape
Served inMug or cupA general choice

About Rooibos

What sources say about the taste

Rooibos is described as sweet and woody, with honey and vanilla notes and very little bitterness, even when steeped long 1.

01 · Aroma

First sip

Lift the cup and smell before you drink.

02 · Taste

Middle

Let it sit on the tongue for a moment.

03 · Finish

Finish

What stays after you swallow.

Hover or tap a noteBigger image and more dots mean a stronger note.

Notes and intensities are an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not our own tasting.

Where it is grown

CederbergWestern CapeSOUTH AFRICA
Region
Cederberg and nearby areas, Western and Northern Cape 1
Plant
Aspalathus linearis, a legume 1
Protection
EU Protected Designation of Origin since 2021 2
Habitat
Fynbos, only in this area 1

More from Cederberg and South Africa.

History and culture

The Khoikhoi and San peoples used the plant. Benjamin Ginsberg traded it in the early 1900s, and cultivation began in the 1930s 1.

Rooibos was registered as an EU Protected Designation of Origin in 2021 2.

Editor's score

8.7/10

Weighted across six criteria: flavour 30%, heritage 20%, availability 15%, value 15%, beginners 10%, versatility 10%.

Based on published sources, not yet tasted. Rates the plant, not a brand. How we score →

1086Flavour & complexity: 7.5Origin & heritage: 9.0Availability: 9.5Value: 9.0Beginner-friendliness: 9.5Versatility: 9.0Flavour 7.5Heritage 9.0Availability 9.5Value 9.0Beginners 9.5Versatility 9.0
Taste profile and caffeine

Profile is an editor's summary of published tasting notes, not a lab measurement or our own tasting.

Caffeine

Brewed coffee~95 mg
Black tea (average)~47 mg
Green tea (average)~28 mg
Rooibos0 mg

Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free 1. Per 8 fl oz (240 ml) cup. Coffee and tea averages from Mayo ClinicC.

Harvest calendar

Rooibos is cut in the southern summer. Tap a month or a season.

The plant

Aspalathus linearis is a legume shrub of the fynbos. It is not related to the tea plant 1.

How it is made
01Cutting

Branches cut by hand.

02Chopping

Cut into short pieces.

03Bruising

Bruised to start oxidation.

04Fermenting

Oxidised in heaps, turning red.

05Sun-drying

Dried in the sun.

Dry herb and infusion
Dry rooibosFine red-brown needles and stems.
LiquorClear red-amber.
After steeping
Wet leafRed-brown needles.

The colour swatch is an approximate guide, not a photograph.

Food pairings and storage

Works well

  • Scones
  • Carrot cake
  • Fruit
  • Milk and honey

Best avoided

  • Very bitter foods

Pairings are general suggestions from the tea's style, not tested matches.

Storage

  • Airtight, opaque container, away from light, heat and moisture.
  • Dried flowers and leaves lose aroma within about a year.
  • Buy small amounts and keep away from spices and coffee, which taint the smell.
Quality and buying

Graded by colour, needle length and stem content.

Buying tips

  1. South African origin only.
  2. A good red colour and sweet smell.
FAQ
Is rooibos tea?

It is a tisane, made from a different plant.

Does rooibos have caffeine?

No, it is naturally caffeine-free.

Find it inHerbal infusionsTeas from South AfricaCederbergCaffeine-freeTakes milkTisane

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, "Rooibos". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rooibos
  2. European Commission, eAmbrosia, "Rooibos / Red Bush" PDO. ec.europa.eu/agriculture/eambrosia/geographical-indications-register/
  3. Mayo Clinic, "Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more". www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/caffeine/art-20049372

Scores and content updated 30 Oct 2026.