Rooibos - An alternative brewing method

Rooibos - An alternative brewing method

An alternative way to brew rooibos

Milk or lemon, strong, or weak, sugar, or honey, everyone has an opinion and each brews according to their taste. Yes, there are rules, a green tea steeped too long tastes ghastly, and a fruit tea with milk might not be something that’s recommended. Rooibos tea allows one to break some of the rules because in fact it’s not actually a tea after all. Rooibos is a tisane or herbal tea and doesn’t contain Camellia sinensis, the main ingredient of black and green tea. It is only in recent years that it has become a popular drink outside the borders of South Africa. In the past it was on the list of most expats who craved a taste of home, but now it is readily available in most supermarkets in the UK.

Most brew rooibos as they would a black tea or herbal tea letting it sit between 4­-7 minutes before it is drunk. The fact is that the longer rooibos is steeped, the more of the antioxidants and other health benefits are released. Traditionally in South Africa, rooibos was boiled in water rather than water being added to the infusion once it boiled. The longer the rooibos is left to stew the more intense the flavour becomes. So much so that it bares little relation to the light orange liquid one gets after a four minute steep. The rooibos, in this case, is served with milk like a traditional chai. This might not be the method of choice for a quick cuppa as the recommended cooking time is 30 minutes but the results are guaranteed to satisfy.

Drink anytime of the day as a comforting drink with loads of antioxidants. As it doesn’t contain caffeine it is also suitable to drink before bed.

WHAT YOU NEED:
- A saucepan (preferably one with a spout)
- Our glass infuser mug or a standard mug/strainer
- Measuring jug and spoon
- Supreme pure rooibos
- 600ml Water (enough for two mugs worth)
- 80ml Milk

METHOD:

1. Add water and tea to the saucepan.
2. Set on a high heat.
3. Bring water to a boil. The water will boil faster if a lid to cover the saucepan is used.
4. Once boiling, stir the tea, be careful not to burn yourself on the steam.
5. Turn the heat down and let the tea gently boil for 30min, with the lid off. Stir occasionally.
6. Add 80ml milk to the mug.
7. Once the 30min is up, take the saucepan off the heat and strain the tea into a teapot or mug.
8. Now, go put your feet up and as you savour a delicious cup of traditional rooibos tea, pretend you are basking in the South African sunshine.