Rooibos - African red bush.

Tea rooibos - African red bush

Rooibos (read Rojbos) from Afrikaans: "rooi" (red) and "bos" (bush) - a red bush of Aspalathus linearis, grown in South Africa (Cedarberg Mountains). The area is characterized by dry summers and a rainy season in winter, and infertile, sandy soil. The leaves look like pine needles and the flowers are yellow in color. The needles are used along with the twigs to make an infusion. They are harvested in summer and early autumn. In the first stage of production, the twigs are harvested and dried, and then with the help of special machines they are cut into tiny needles, and this is how green, non-oxidized Rooibos is made. The cut and dried needles are then soaked in water and piled into 20 cm piles, which are left for about 24 hours. During this time, Rooibos turns from green to reddish brown. It is then dried in the sun until it reaches a moisture content of about 10%. After drying, it is sieved and steam pasteurized. The leaves, which are picked, cut and subjected to several hours of oxidation, are used to make a drink with a red color and a specific honey taste.