What Does Rooibos Taste Like? Caffeine, Flavor and How to Brew It
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Rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss) is the needle-like leaf of a South African shrub, Aspalathus linearis. It is often called red tea or red bush tea, but it is not related to the tea plant, which is why it has no caffeine at all.
What rooibos tastes like
Plain rooibos is smooth, slightly sweet and a little woody, with a honey and vanilla character and almost no bitterness or astringency. Think of it as somewhere between black tea and a mild herbal infusion. Because it is naturally sweet and low in tannin, it carries dessert flavors like caramel, chocolate and spice better than almost any other base, which is why our most popular caffeine-free teas are rooibos blends.
Does rooibos have caffeine?
No. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, not decaffeinated, so you can drink it at any hour. It is also lower in tannins than black tea, which is why you can steep it for ten minutes and it still tastes smooth.
Rooibos vs black tea
| Rooibos | Black tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | South African shrub | Camellia sinensis |
| Caffeine | 0 mg | 40–70 mg per cup |
| Taste | Sweet, smooth, honeyed | Brisk, malty, astringent |
| Oversteeping | Stays smooth | Turns bitter |
| Takes milk? | Yes, especially flavored blends | Yes |
How to brew rooibos
Use fully boiling water (212°F), one heaping teaspoon per 8 oz cup, and steep 5 to 7 minutes. Longer is fine. Rooibos also makes excellent iced tea and cold brew: use one heaping tablespoon per quart of cold water and refrigerate overnight. For a rooibos latte, steep it double-strength and top with frothed milk. More in our loose-leaf brewing guide.
The best rooibos blends to try first
- Psychocandy – roasted pumpkin and caramel. Our best-selling rooibos and the fall favorite.
- Silent Night – chocolate and nutmeg, like cocoa without the sugar.
- Negroni – bittersweet orange, inspired by the cocktail. Chill it and top with soda water for a zero-proof Negroni.
- Biarritz – orange and amaretto, soft and nutty.
- Cocteau – vanilla, grapefruit and mint, bright and refreshing.
- Not ready to give up black tea? Decaf Dark Iris (peach and pistachio) keeps the black-tea taste with most of the caffeine removed. See all our decaf tea.
Browse the full Rooibos collection, or taste several at once with the Top 10 Caffeine-Free Sampler. Samples from $4.99; free US shipping over $45.
