Rooibos tea health benefits

Here is how to prepare a perfect cup of Rooibos Tea.

If possible, use natural spring, bottled or filtered water since tap water can effect the pleasant, naturally sweet taste of Rooibos tea.

Rooibos tea is said to develop the best taste and offer the most benefits when steeped for between 5 and 8 minutes. It is ok to steep it longer. If you do so, Rooibos will increase the flavour and full bodied essence of the tea. Because Rooibos is very low in tannins, it will not turn bitter if you brew it longer or if you prefer to drink it cold.

After you boil the water, let it cool down a bit (for about 30 seconds) and then pour it over the leaves. One Teaspoon of Rooibos tea will make one cup of tea. If you wish to make larger quantities, you might want to use three teaspoons for one quart/liter. But ofcourse, you can adjust the quantity regarding to your own taste and enjoyment.

Rooibos tea has a great natural taste and therefore it is not needed to add milk or sugar, but if you like, you can try both and perhaps even add some cinammon.

Enjoy! :)

Bubble Tea

• 1 cup strong, chilled Rooibos tea
• 1/2 cup chilled, cooked, large Chinese tapioca pearls
• 1cup crushed ice
• 1 cup Milk, or to taste
• 1 cup Honey or sugar to taste

Directions: Place the pearls in a large glass. Combine all the remaining ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously until the mixture is frothy. Pour into the glass, and serve with extra-thick straws.

Orange Morning Delight

• 1/4 teaspoon Rooibos extract
• 4 oz. water
• 3 ice cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 4 ozs. of orange juice

Directions: Stir Rooibos extract and sugar in water. Add orange juice and stir well. Top with ice cubes. Single serving recipe.
Red Thai Ice Tea

• 2 teaspoons Rooibos extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 4 cardamom pod, crushed
• 1 cup sugar
• 6 cups hot water
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 whole clove, crushed

Directions: Stir Rooibos extract, cardamom pods, crushed clove and cinnamon in boling water well. Let stand and steep for 5 minutes covered. Pour mixture through a coffee filter or cotton muslim bag. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours. Serve in a glass over crushed ice topping each with 3 to 4 tablespoons half-and-half (do not mix).

Here are a few suggestions on how to get even more out of Rooibos tea. Its natural sweetness makes it the perfect base ingredient for many extraordinary drinks.

Rooibos Shake
2 cups hot rooibos tea
2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
2 table spoons of lemon juice
1 1/4 cups of sparkling lemon juice

Directions: Combine rooibos with the ice cream and beat well. Add lemon juice. Pour into glasses and add the sparkling lemon juice.

South African Punch
4 cups of rooibos tea
1 cup of sugar
4 cups orange juice
4 cups apple juice
3 cups spring water
4 cups ginger ale

Directions: Dissolve the sugar in the Rooibos tea. Combine the remaining liquids. Garnish with lemon slices.

Red Vanilla Latte
1 teaspoon Rooibos tea extract
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1 tablespoon Sugar
20 oz. condensed milk
10 ice cubes

Directions: Stir Rooibos and vanilla extract in milk well. Blend the ice. Add the other ingredients to the ice and mix in the blender for 30 seconds.
Makes one quart or four 8 oz. glasses. Top each glass with whip cream and cherry.