Latest news with #Rooibos
The Citizen
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Why rooibos could be the world's peace offering
Tea, especially rooibos, is a symbol of comfort and peace. In a world that's losing its calm, it might just be our simplest solution. It seems logical that a brand like Coca-Cola – which dominates the soft drink market globally – would have few real competitors in the sector. Yet executives will admit that consumption of coffee and tea is what really worries them. The reality is that, for all the options out there, tea is still second only to water as the most consumed drink in the world. It's no different in South Africa, where, according to research company Eighty20, more than 22.6 million South African adults enjoy rooibos, green tea or traditional tea every day. ALSO READ: Rooibos, tea or coffee? What South Africans like to drink Almost half of them also enjoy a daily cup of coffee, and 30% of traditional tea drinkers also sip some rooibos daily. Rooibos, of course, is that uniquely South African brand of herbal tea grown in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape… and which is an acquired taste, shall we say. Fans of the herb tea – and their legions are growing around the world as it is exported to more than 50 countries – believe rooibos has significant health benefits, being caffeine-free and high in antioxidants. Whatever your preference, you cannot deny that an inviting cuppa helps soothe the nerves. Maybe the world should make tea, rather than make war… NOW READ: Another victory for Rooibos as study finds that tea is good for the heart
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Rooibos, tea or coffee? What South Africans like to drink
When it comes to hot beverages, different demographic groups in South Africa tend to choose between coffee and various types of tea, including Rooibos. What do South Africans like to drink when they take a break? Some of us cannot do without the early morning pick-me-up coffee, but other drink only tea. And if they drink only tea, which kind of tea do they prefer? Eighty20 spills the tea on what South Africans like to sip by looking at the data. Andrew Fulton, director at Eighty20, says while coffee may be the go-to morning pick-me-up for many, tea remains the true global favourite, second only to water as the most consumed beverage in the world according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD). 'In South Africa, it is common to ask if people want Rooibos or regular when offering a cup of tea, and this shows how popular Rooibos is. Grown exclusively in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, this naturally caffeine-free tea has become a global favourite. Just like Champagne, only products from this region can proudly carry the Rooibos name.' The data shows that over 22.6 million South African adults enjoy Rooibos, green tea or traditional tea every day. And they do not only stick to just one type of tea, Fulton says. Almost 30% of traditional tea drinkers also sip some Rooibos daily, and almost half of them pair their tea habits with a daily cup of coffee. Fulton says for brands this is a clear signal that tea time is all the time and for grocers, it is also important to look at complementary products, such as sugar. South Africans consume on average 4.2 teaspoons of sugar in tea, coffee, beverages or cereal per day. ALSO READ: Why experts recommend Rooibos for better health Who drinks what when it comes to coffee, tea and Rooibos tea? Coloured and Afrikaans-speaking people in the Western Cape and Free State consume considerably more, while isiXhosa and isiZulu speakers in the Eastern Cape and KZN consume considerably less. This table shows what South African consumers drank yesterday and how many chose tea or coffee. ALSO READ: Five tips to make the best cup of tea Where tea comes from When it comes to traditional tea, China is in the lead, producing nearly half of the world's tea, followed by India, Kenya and Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon until 1972, a term still used interchangeably in South Africa for traditional tea). Fulton points out that tea is a massive industry, with global production valued at $17 billion, while the industry employs approximately 13 million people worldwide. Kenya is famous for its high-quality black tea, with its tea sector contributing over a quarter of the country's annual export earnings and providing employment to nearly 2 million people. South Africa's tea market is also brewing strong, projected to hit $447.29 million in revenue by 2025 with a steady annual growth of 3.07%. Joko tea and Glen tea are the market leaders for traditional teas in South Africa, while Freshpak remains the top pick for over half of all Rooibos drinkers. ALSO READ: 10 surprising facts about Rooibos More people are drinking tea Fulton says the consumption of traditional tea is increasing in East Asia, Africa and Latin America, but declining in Europe and North America. In North America, herbal teas and other ready-to-drink beverages are becoming more popular. 'This trend also positively affects our local tea substitute, Rooibos. The global Rooibos tea market is estimated to be worth approximately $1.3 billion in 2023, thanks to Rooibos Limited, the largest producer and distributor of Rooibos tea, exporting to 50 countries worldwide. What is the difference between traditional tea and Rooibos? Traditional teas like black, green and Oolong all come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but Rooibos tea is different. It is technically not a true tea but a tisane, a caffeine-free herbal infusion made by steeping plant materials in hot water. According to Fulton, people are switching to Rooibos all over the world, not only because it is a delightful drink but also due to its numerous health benefits. 'This naturally caffeine-free beverage is rich in antioxidants, helps to reduce blood pressure and improves cholesterol levels, soothes an aching stomach and can help to clear your skin.' ALSO READ: Rooibos industry paid R12 million to Khoi and San community in historic move What the data shows about tea drinkers There is also tea drinking demographics that show how much people all over the world love a cuppa. Using data from MAPS, a survey of 20 000 South Africans conducted by the MRF, Eighty20 a consumer analytics and data science agency, shows that women, Indians and Asians are over-indexed for all types of tea. The data also shows that Rooibos tea drinkers have marginally higher personal and household incomes than people who drink traditional tea, but the average household income of people who prefer green tea is nearly twice that of other tea drinkers. Green tea drinkers are also younger and better educated. Fulton says looking at the Eighty20 National Segmentation groups, poorer segments, such as the Humble Elders and Mothers of the Nation, tend to drink traditional tea, while Comfortable Retirees prefer Rooibos tea and the Heavy Hitters and Middle Class opt for green tea. This table shows the preferences of the different groups: 'Tea remains a cultural staple and commercial powerhouse in South Africa, with over 22 million adults drinking it daily. The growth of Rooibos tea locally and globally signals a shift in consumer preferences towards healthier, caffeine-free alternatives, offering valuable opportunities for brands looking to connect with evolving lifestyles and demographics,' Fulton says. NOW READ: Is coffee a luxury? Jacobs Coffee explains the price increase
eNCA
25-05-2025
- Health
- eNCA
A brew beyond borders as Rooibos research goes global
CAPE TOWN - Rooibos tea, naturally caffeine-free and proudly local, is brewing up serious global interest. From heart health to brain function, gut wellness to sports performance, this red tea is steeped in science. As researchers mark 50 years of Rooibos breakthroughs on World Tea Day, they're also pouring fresh energy into keeping local expertise at the core of its global rise.
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Experiences in tea leaves: a guide to having the best tea in Buenos Aires
Named after a renowned French master baker who came to Latin America to bring exclusive boulangerie delights to our palates. Just in time! No one can resist the authentic French puff pastry, perfectly buttery and made with wheat flour, all crafted with products specially imported from France. Another must-try at Gontran Cherrier is the classic pain au chocolat, featured in the Parisien menu, which includes tea and freshly squeezed orange juice. Regarding the infusions that draw us in, favorites include chamomile with vanilla and honey, a special chocolate and red fruits blend, a Rooibos alternative with red fruits, mint, and rose petals, and a fruity mix with blueberry, orange, and red fruits, among others. For the adventurous? Green tea with coconut and pineapple. Chapeau!
The Herald
10-05-2025
- General
- The Herald
Treat your mom to a creamy rooibos and chai cake
Leisure Make this Mother's Day special with our decadent dessert 10 May 2025 A recipe to some love on Mother's Day. Image: Supplied From flowers to vouchers, it's never easy to find the perfect gift to celebrate your mother or parental figure who has played that role. Try this easy-to-follow cake recipe to make tea time a soothing delight with rooibos and chai. ROOIBOS CHAI TEA CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING Ingredients Cake 1 cup Rooibos Chai infused milk ¼ cup sour cream 2 ¼ cup flour ¼ cup cornstarch 1 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp nutmeg ½ tsp cloves 1 cup white sugar ½ cup brown sugar 1 tbsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, softened, cubed 4 large eggs 1 ½ tsp vanilla Chai syrup ¼ cup water ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tsp Rooibos Chai Cream cheese frosting 1 cup cream cheese, softened ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened 4 cups icing sugar, sifted 1 tsp vanilla Method To make the Rooibos Chai infused milk, heat the milk and 2 tsp of Rooibos Chai tea on the stove. Once almost at a simmer, remove from the heat and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and set aside to cool. To make the Rooibos Chai simple syrup, bring the sugar, water and tisane to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, strain through a fine mesh strainer and set aside to cool. Preheat oven to 180°C and line 15cm cake tins with parchment paper. In the bowl of a stand mixer (or a bowl and hand mixer) sift together the flour, cornstarch, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. With the mixer running, add in the cubed butter one piece at a time until combined. It will look a little like wet sand. Add in eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is combined before adding another. Stir in the vanilla and sour cream. Slowly pour in the Rooibos Chai infused milk until it's all combined and smooth. Divide batter between the 3 parchment-lined pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the tins/pans, then remove from pans and cool completely. Once cooled, cut off the top of the cake layers to make sure they are smooth for when you assemble the cake. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat the cream cheese and softened butter together until light and fluffy. Add in icing sugar one cup at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Whip the frosting until light and fluffy. Set aside until ready to put cake together. To assemble the cake, start with the first layer on your cake stand/plate. Liberally brush the cake with the Rooibos chai syrup. Spread about ½ cup of the frosting on the cake layer. You want the icing to go all the way to the end. If you use more than ½ a cup, that's OK. Make sure you have enough icing left to cover the outside of the cake. If you put too much icing in the layers, it can also make it harder to stack the other layers on the top. Once icing is spread, add the next layer of cake and repeat. When the final layer of cake is on top, you can start spreading icing on the sides of the cake. You can choose to spread icing very lightly on the outside of the cake, to give it a 'naked' cake look. You can also decorate the top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, some star anise and cinnamon sticks. The cake will last for up to three days. Make sure to cover the exposed cake with plastic wrap to prevent it drying out. Recipe courtesy of Preserve Co and the Rooibos Easter recipe collection.
