How does Rooibos Tea compare to other types of tea in terms of taste and health benefits?
Rooibos is not true tea: it is an herbal infusion from a South African shrub, naturally caffeine-free and low in tannins, so it tastes smooth, slightly sweet and nutty rather than grassy or bitter. True teas (black, green, white, oolong) contain caffeine. Claims of strong health benefits for rooibos are not well established.
Free download
Coffee, Tea and Hot Drinks Storage Chart (PDF): How long coffee beans, ground coffee, tea, cocoa and creamers last. 11 rows, each with its source.
Thank you
Your chart is ready
We use your email only for this download.Also free:
Home Bar Storage Chart (PDF)Milk and Dairy Storage Chart (PDF)Juice, Soda and Water Storage Chart (PDF)Drink Strength, Calories and Units Cheat Sheet (PDF)Want the full pack? About 10 printable sheets: a larger chart for each drink type, a “has it gone off?” checklist, date labels, a party planner and an inventory sheet.
In this article
What is rooibos?
Rooibos, or red tea, is an herbal infusion made from the leaves and stems of a shrub, Aspalathus linearis, native to South Africa. It is not made from the Camellia sinensis plant that gives black, green, white and oolong tea, so it is not true tea.
How does rooibos taste compared with other teas?
| Drink | Typical taste | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|
| Rooibos | Smooth, mildly sweet, nutty or woody | None |
| Black tea | Full-bodied, malty, can be astringent | Yes |
| Green tea | Grassy, vegetal, can turn bitter | Yes |
| White tea | Light and delicate | Yes |
Taste varies by brand, brewing time and water temperature.
Is rooibos caffeine-free?
Yes. A nutrition article from Foodwatch states rooibos contains no caffeine, and that it is low in tannins, the bitter polyphenols found in regular tea. Because of that, it rarely tastes bitter even when steeped longer, and many people drink it in the evening. Check blends, since flavored rooibos products may contain true tea or other ingredients.
What about health benefits?
The same source says there is no convincing data as yet to support claimed health benefits, and that research is at an early stage (the article dates from 2013, so newer studies may exist). We found no statement from NIH, NHS or EFSA that rooibos prevents or treats any condition. Treat claims of curing allergies, eczema or disease as unproven.
How do you brew it?
- Use boiling water and steep about 5 to 7 minutes, or longer to taste.
- Serve with milk, honey or lemon, hot or iced.
If you take medicine or are pregnant, ask a doctor about any herbal tea you drink often.
People also ask
Does rooibos have caffeine?
No, rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, unlike true teas.
Is rooibos healthier than green tea?
There is no convincing evidence that it is. Neither can be said to treat disease.
Why doesn't rooibos taste bitter?
It is low in tannins, the compounds that make regular tea astringent and bitter.
Sources
About · How we verify this · Editorial policy · Corrections
What would help you most next?
One tap. Anonymous. It helps us decide what to build.
Thank you. The free charts above are yours to keep.
